As Tesla is signing a contract after contract to secure automotive part supplies for its Giga Berlin factory, a new developments are emerging from UK giving more grounds to the rumors that Tesla eventually may build a Gigafactory in Somerset, UK.
Simon Alvarez has the details in today’s Teslarati writing while addressing Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger in the House of Commons, Minister of State for Business Kwasi Kwarteng noted that he believes that Somerset has the “manufacturing skill and competence to be able to sustain an excellent Gigafactory.” Kwarteng also noted the government is “considering and looking” at the site.
The minister added that the “remarkable” Gravity location is arguably “one of the best sites in the United Kingdom” that “should be considered for the very important future of car manufacturing and battery manufacturing.” Kwarteng also emphasized the UK government’s pledge to support the development of battery and electric vehicle manufacturing projects in the country.
Alvarez reminds us that the rumors of a potential Tesla Gigafactory UK in Somerset initially emerged last summer amid reports that the government was seeking a 4 million sq ft (91-acre) site for the electric vehicle maker. Gravity was among the locations reportedly attempting to secure a contract with Tesla. However, updates on the potential Gigafactory UK site eventually became dormant, though reports emerged last month that a letter addressed to Tesla CEO Elon Musk had been sent to the Gravity site.
Tesla needs to have a couple of more gigafactories under construction in 2022 to secure its global growth. I will not be surprised if the next two gigafactories are built in India and a Tesla Gigafactory in UK. India is close to China and UK is close to Germany. Here is what this proximity matters: Tesla can easily use the same supply chain to supply automotive parts to these two gigafactories.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.
