The UK’s largest independent vehicle battery manufacturer will open in early 2019 in Coventry, England. The facility will be operated by a new joint venture, known as Hyperbat, which will see the combination of expertise from Williams Advanced Engineering and Unipart Manufacturing Group.
The new company and factory combine expertise in manufacturing, logistics and high-performance vehicle battery technology from the two JV partners. The facility aims to provide a secure future supply chain for UK-based car makers as their vehicles transition to electric power, with the potential to provide similar solutions to developing marine and aircraft projects in the future.
Following construction, Hyperbat will begin production at the Coventry site in early 2019. The launch customer for Hyperbat batteries is the Aston Martin Rapide E, which will be a limited production run.
“Hybrid and electric vehicles will play a key part in Britain’s cleaner and greener future and this new high-tech facility – inspired by a government funded Advanced Propulsion Centre project – will develop new vehicle battery technologies and create high-skilled jobs in Coventry,” said UK Business Secretary Greg Clark.
“Through the Industrial Strategy, the government is building on our world leading strengths in auto manufacturing and clean growth, making the UK the go-to place for these technologies and boosting the economic opportunities presented by our transition to a low-carbon economy.”
Williams Advanced Engineering’s experience in electrification ranges from powering all the cars on the grid of the Formula E championship, to projects as varied as the Vanda Electrics Dendrobium electric hypercar and Jaguar Vector Racing world speed record-breaking electric boat.
An established player in automotive manufacturing, Unipart will convert a century-old building, which most recently produced vehicle exhausts, to produce more environmentally friendly equipment to power the future of road transport.
“Today marks a proud day as we bring together two innovative companies to deliver cutting-edge technology that will literally power the future of sustainable transport in the UK and beyond,” said Craig Wilson, managing director of Williams Advanced Engineering.
“We are pleased to be working with Unipart, growing a new capability for our sector in this country for hybrid and electric vehicles, securing the on-shore supply chain for the long-term.
“Hyperbat will also deliver into high-performance battery applications beyond automotive, delivering innovative technology and high-value manufacturing, as well as jobs for the next generation workforce.”
“We are delighted to be working with Williams Advanced Engineering on this venture,” added Carol Burke, managing director of Unipart Manufacturing Group.
“We have developed an advanced manufacturing facility on our Coventry site – the very site in which the British auto industry produced some of its first petrol vehicles. It is fitting that this site will now provide clean, sustainable electric batteries that can be tailored to individual auto manufacturer’s requirements and available to a wide range of companies seeking to introduce electric vehicles into their ranges.”
