The North East is rapidly emerging as the UK leader in the electric vehicle and battery sectors.
The region has long been at the forefront of the electrification of surface transport and is home to Europe’s first electric battery gigafactory with two new facilities announced in 2021. Recent investments from Nissan, AESC and Turntide Technologies, total over £2bn. The region is home to a unique and comprehensive asset base for innovating and demonstrating solutions across the whole energy system. For the electrification sector, these assets provide world-leading research and a powerful testbed which is used by international businesses, SMEs, and policymakers. Significant assets and expertise in battery technology exists across the whole battery life-cycle from formulation and advanced materials to second life applications, energy storage and vehicle to grid technology.