Chinese battery manufacturer AESC was poised to take a central role in Tata’s UK battery facility, according to the Financial Times.
Tata said in July it planned to construct a battery cell gigafactory in the UK to supply batteries for Jaguar Land Rover EVs.
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Officials close to the deal did not comment on AESC’s involvement.
Recent remarks by JLR CEO Adrian Mardell indicated discussing Agratas’ affiliation with Envision was beyond his capacity. The FT reported Mardell said contracts “had been signed” with suppliers, but it was “not natural” to name them.
When asked in July whether AESC would be involved in the new facility, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak said: “That’s a question for Tata rather than me.”
The UK government was expected to provide GBP500m in state aid to Tata for the project.
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By GlobalDataDue to some UK lawmakers’ reservations about China, the FT said suggestion of some of this state aid “going to a Chinese company would be politically sensitive”.
Insiders with direct knowledge confirmed AESC was “deeply involved”.
AESC would reportedly contribute technology for the first battery generation slated for production at the factory site.
Insiders said AESC would also supply batteries for electric Jaguar models starting from 2025.
Neither Tata nor Jaguar Land Rover confirmed AESC involvement.
