Jaguar Land Rover investigating plans for battery factory

VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is working on plans to build a massive battery factory for a new generation of electric cars.

Reports over the weekend suggested the company was planning to invest several hundred million pounds in the plant, although it it has not comment officially.

The Sunday Times said the company was undecided on whether to build the plant in the UK or overseas.

While capacity in the UK is already stretched, the company has shown it is not afraid to take greater control over its own destiny by investing £1bn into its Engine Manufacturing Centre outside Wolverhampton.

It is not afraid to embrace new technology and a new production line at the factory on the i54 site will eventually see the company manufacture its own range of hybrid engines.

JLR, like many car makers, is under pressure to cut emissions, faced with tough regulations and fines while the popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles is growing.

The Midlands-based car maker would be following the lead of rivals Nissan and Tesla in developing its own battery technology if its plans go ahead.

The new plant would be built next to a new electrical vehicle factory, the report said, and would have significant capacity.

However, the investment has not been finalised and the outcome of Thursday’s EU referendum vote could play a significant factor in the final decision.

Still in the balance is which battery technology to use, with options including Panasonic and LG being considered.

JLR employs a total of 35,000 people in the UK, 16,500 in the West Midlands.

Should the company look to the West Midlands as a possible site for any factory then it may be able to take inspiration from  black cab manufacturer London Taxi Company, which has invested £300m into a new facility in Ansty Park, outside Coventry.

The massive plant will begin producing special zero emission versions of the iconic taxi, which will be launched to the UK market at the end of 2017.