Britain is set to secure a commitment from Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover to build a battery factory in southwest England to power a new range of Jaguar and Land Rover electric vehicles, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.
Indian company Tata has chosen a site in Somerset, Bloomberg said, citing people familiar with the plans.
The report states that the company may announce its decision as early as this week.
A government spokesman said there was no information on the timing of the announcement.
The location of the plant has been the subject of speculation for months, with some media claiming that the Tatas, a conglomerate with interests in software, steel, cars and airlines, have also considered Spain as a location.
The plant would be a major win for Britain, which is trying to join the global race to make electric vehicle (EV) batteries locally, which is vital for carmakers relying on batteries near their factories.
Britain’s choice of Tata will also boost Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government, which has promised to boost the economy and set a series of “net zero” targets, including a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.
