Volklec announces plans to build batteries in the UK

A new EV battery making operation has launched in the UK, bringing what it says is ‘significant investment’ to the country’s specialist R&D centre in Coventry.

Volklec is the latest firm to set up operations at the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) with a view to developing new sustainable batteries for use in on-road, off-road and track vehicles.

Backed by investment firm Frontive Group, Volklec will work with the UKBIC to develop batteries for the UK manufacturing industry with a particular focus on what it calls the diverse array of small volume and niche vehicle makers.

It says its launch will directly create jobs in the West Midlands as well as contribute to the building of world-class battery R&D and manufacturing capability in the UK.

Imran Khatri, Volklec’s founder, said: “Volklec has been many months and significant investment in the making, established to help the UK’s decarbonisation drive. As a proud investment in the UK, our initial focus is on the automotive industry, providing security of supply to the sector, then we intend to look at the broader electrification markets as well.”

The UKBIC was opened in 2021 to act as a central research, manufacturing and scale-up facility for businesses trying to develop new battery technologies. It also acts as a skills development site for the growing battery industry.

Sean Gilgunn, UKBIC managing director, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Volklec to UKBIC and to become their launch base here in the heart of the UK automotive industry.

“Our purpose-built facility is where businesses can develop their battery manufacturing processes at the scale they need to move to industrial production. This agreement marks the start of Volklec’s journey to create a battery with the potential to scale up to significant volumes in the coming years, and we are proud to support the business in the initial phase of their development.

“Manufacturing cells at volume is vital to ensuring the UK prospers from the energy transition towards Net Zero, and this agreement further demonstrates the unique value of UKBIC to the battery ecosystem.”