Britishvolt: how Britain’s bright battery hope was zapped

Battery-making startup’s demise ‘has thrown up tales of reckless spending’ and incompetence

Artist impression of potential Britishvolt factory
An artist’s impression of the Britishvolt gigafactory
(Image credit: Britishvolt)

The demise of Britishvolt – a battery-making startup with ambitious plans to build a £4bn gigafactory in Northumberland – has sent shockwaves through industry and politics, said The Sunday Times. “Billed as the great hope” of the country’s electric vehicle future, and once valued at £1bn, the company’s collapse “has thrown up tales of reckless spending”, lavish salaries and incompetence.

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