UK policies for batteries

In March 2021, the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee launched an inquiry into the role of batteries and fuel cells in meeting the government’s target for achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. 

Following the inquiry in March, the committee published its report in October 2021 entitled ‘Battery strategy goes flat: Net zero target at risk’. The committee warned that the UK needed to increase its battery manufacturing capacity. 

In response to the recommendations of the committee, the government set out the following measures: 

• The establishment of the automotive transformation fund: The UK established the Automotive Transformation Fund to invest in projects that accelerate the development of low-carbon technologies, including battery technology for EVs. 
• The expansion of skills in the automotive sector through skills programmes, including the Department for Education’s emerging skills electrification project and UK Research and Investment’s driving eclectic revolution challenge. It also said the UK’s battery research programme, the Faraday Institution, was monitoring skills gaps in the sector and supporting graduate, post-graduate and early careers education. 
• Research funding into the development of next-generation batteries through grants from UK Research and Innovation’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. 
• The provision of £1.3bn in funding to support the roll-out of charge points on motorways and major A roads, homes and businesses and on-street charge points. 
• The launch of the hydrogen for transport programme to support the development of fuel cell technology. The government also said it was providing support through the fuel cell electric vehicle fleet support scheme.