Electric car battery industry to create 300,000 jobs and help drivers ditch 'dirty and polluting fuel'

This is alongside the estimated 62,274 existing jobs currently seen across the EV battery supply chain sector.

The European Battery Supply Chain Tracker shows that 30,600 jobs are already active in the gigafactory portion of the supply chain.

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Across almost 180 different projects, the data shows there are 62,000 jobs in the wider supply chain, according to New AutoMotive's interactive tool.

Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, said: "Jobs in gigafactories and electric car manufacturing are not just a vague promise of the future, they are today's reality.

"We found that behind the headlines, Europe has a thriving and rapidly growing battery supply chain, creating jobs and contributing to economic growth."

He added that Europe needed "ambitious policies" to incentivise manufacturers to turbocharge electric car production, which could, in turn, bring prices down for consumers.

Last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Business Secretary Jonathan Ashworth visited a new state-of-the-art gigafactory in Sunderland, which will create 1,000 jobs thanks to a huge £1billion investment.

The factory, which is operated by AESC, will build batteries for electric vehicles and help the UK become one of the most competitive EV hubs in Europe.

New AutoMotive has also urged European governments to stick with the 2035 phase-out ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles, amid fears laws could be eased in the near future following backlash from politicians and pressure groups.

There have been calls for the greater use of synthetic fuels and hybrids, prompting experts to warn that such measures "risk undermining the investments needed across the entire battery supply chain".

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Ginny Buckley, the chief executive of Electrifying, the electric car buying and advice site, highlighted how China had successfully transformed itself from "the land of the bicycle" to a country that is a global leader in the EV space.

She added: "Europe, including the UK, stands at a similarly critical juncture, with the energy transition presenting significant opportunities.

"Embracing this shift can deliver substantial job creation and community transformation across the UK. This tracker will provide essential data to ensure we stay on course, reminding policymakers that timely investment and decisive action are vital, if the UK is to avoid falling behind in the global race to electrify."

Similarly, Imogen Bhogal, Chief Content Officer and Presenter at the Fully Charged Show, described the tool as "invaluable", adding that the new jobs will help millions of people move away from "dirty and polluting fossil fuels".

She continued, saying: "The energy transition is real and happening, and this map really brings it all to life."

Another UK gigafactory is set to become operational in Somerset within years, with the £4billion plant set to supply electric batteries to Jaguar Land Rover.

There are hopes that the gigafactory could even supply batteries for 40 per cent of the UK's domestic electric vehicle battery needs.

The plant, run by Agratas, will be positioned near the M5 motorway, with the company's head of UK construction, Jefferson Weber, suggesting it could be worth "hundreds of millions" to the local economy.