Before collapsing in January, Britishvolt held multiple meetings with the government but was unable to access a promised £100 million public grant.
The company, which intended to construct an electric vehicle (EV) battery factory, met with former business secretaries Jacob Rees-Mogg and Grant Shapps in October and December at the Department for Business and Trade, as reported by the BBC.
Although the government had pledged £100 million for Britishvolt’s proposed £3.8 billion EV battery facility in Northumberland, the company failed in January after being unable to obtain a £30 million advance on the funds.
The government did not disclose details of the meetings following a BBC freedom of information request, citing “commercially sensitive information.”
The collapse was considered a “major setback” for the UK’s EV industry, which has faced difficulties competing globally due to substantial public subsidies provided in the US and EU.
Australian company Recharge Industries has since acquired Britishvolt out of administration, reviving the factory plans. The new plans now include batteries for energy storage by 2025 and high-performance car power units at a later stage.
