Taiwanese battery maker ProLogium Technology Co (輝能科技) is considering the UK among the potential sites for an US$8 billion factory that would build a promising, but unproven new generation of cells for electric vehicles.
The solid-state battery start-up is evaluating 90 sites across Eruope, including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and the UK, the company said in a statement.
Locations are being evaluated based on availability of skilled labor, transport links and government incentives being offered — even proximity to customers.
A final decision is planned early next year, a Taiwan-based ProLogium spokesman said by telephone.
Other locations in the US, China and Southeast Asia are also being contemplated.
The company has hired consulting firm Accuracy to help with the search.
The UK is trying hard to attract battery makers as the auto industry phases out the internal combustion engine.
The UK’s production of vehicles has steadily declined over the decades and uncertainty about the future of its trading relationship with the EU has added to the industry’s woes.
Solid-state batteries promise reduced charging times, longer driving ranges and — unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries — no fire risk.
While the technology offers vast potential improvements to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, it has not yet been produced at scale.
ProLogium in January signed a cooperation agreement to develop sold-state battery cells with Mercedes-Benz Group AG, which also invested in the start-up.
ProLogium has earmarked US$8 billion for an overseas factory it would build in three phases over the course of a decade, with an ultimate capacity of 120 gigawatt-hours.
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