Britain’s largest electric vehicle battery factory is preparing for a major increase in construction activity near Bridgwater, Somerset. This autumn, the workforce at the Agratas EV battery plant is expected to rise to between 2,500 and 2,900 workers as the £4 billion project enters a more intensive phase.
The first enormous factory building is now almost watertight, enabling teams to begin installing internal systems and infrastructure within weeks. The workforce expansion will primarily involve specialist contractors taking over from general structural crews, marking significant progress towards battery production and supporting Britain’s efforts to establish a competitive domestic electric vehicle supply chain by 2027.
The Agratas facility will employ up to 2,900 construction workers this autumn, begin initial battery production in late 2027, and eventually create 4,000 permanent jobs.
Construction Enters Internal Fit-Out Phase
A report submitted to Somerset Council confirms that activity at the 616-acre brownfield site will accelerate substantially. With the first building nearing weatherproof status, specialist teams can begin complex internal installation work.
Key developments include:
- Construction workforce rising to 2,500–2,900 people
- Internal fit-out scheduled to begin within weeks
- Specialist contractors replacing structural construction teams
- TSL taking control after Sir Robert McAlpine completed the initial phase
TSL was appointed in June to lead the next stage of the Agratas EV battery plant, representing an important contractor transition.
Tata Chairman Reviews Progress
Tata Group and Agratas Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran recently inspected the site. His visit followed Jaguar Land Rover’s announcement of 4,000 job cuts, partly linked to its delayed electric-model transition.
Production and Employment Outlook
The Agratas EV battery plant remains scheduled to start producing cells in late 2027, initially supplying upcoming JLR vehicles. When fully operational, the factory is projected to generate 4,000 permanent green jobs and 300 apprenticeships, delivering a major regional employment boost while strengthening Britain’s battery-manufacturing capability. The Agratas EV battery plant will become central to Tata’s future electrification strategy.
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