The Prime Minister has today opened a £130 million UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Baginton.

PM Boris Johnson formally opened the 18,500m square national battery factory during a visit to Coventry today.

The facility has been developed to support UK industry with development of battery technology for future electrification. Its opening comes on the same day as plans have been submitted for the proposed Gigafactory at Coventry Airport.

UKBIC can be used by any organisation working on batteries to see whether their plans will work once scaled up.

The facility employs more than 80 battery technicians, engineers, and support staff, with plans for that number to grow to support future project partnerships with industry and research organisations.

Speaking during his visit Mr Johnson said: "UKBIC is a beacon of innovation and ingenuity- shining the way for a brighter, greener future for the battery sector in the UK. It was an honour to open this world-class facility today and I cannot think of a more fitting backdrop here in Coventry to speak about the government's ambitious agenda to level up across the UK.

"This facility will help to deliver green growth and jobs as industrial demand accelerates in the UK battery sector. With the technology and government backed expertise on offer right here in Coventry, I have no doubt that UKBIC will become world leaders in the industry."

Whilst visiting the site Mr Johnson also gave a speech on the government's 'levelling up' scheme.

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