Jaguar Land Rover's electric transformation, West Midlands

A British Classic Recharged: MINI's Electric Transformation

BMW is steering the MINI brand into a new era of electrification, and it’s doing it from the heart of the UK. The company has announced a landmark £600 million investment to convert its MINI Plant Oxford into an all-electric production hub by 2030. This transformation underscores BMW’s commitment to sustainable mobility and reaffirms the UK’s vital role in the global electric vehicle (EV) transition.

A Historic Site Reimagined for the Future

Located in Oxford since 1913 and producing MINIs since 2001, the plant has long been a symbol of British automotive craftsmanship. Now, it’s becoming a symbol of innovation and electrification.

Starting in 2026, the plant will begin production of two new electric MINI models:

• MINI Cooper Electric
• MINI Aceman Electric

Both models are designed to blend the iconic MINI design with cutting-edge EV technology, meeting the rising demand for clean, compact, and stylish electric cars across the UK and Europe.

Investment Breakdown: Driving Change from the Ground Up

BMW’s £600 million investment will support:

• Modernisation of production lines to accommodate all-electric drivetrainsTraining and upskilling of thousands of employees
• Upgrades to logistics and digital systems to streamline EV manufacturing
• Sustainability improvements across the entire production process

With these changes, Plant Oxford will become one of the key global centres for MINI’s electric future.

Why This Matters: Electrification at Scale

BMW’s investment is more than just an upgrade. It’s a strategic move to:

• Help meet UK and EU net-zero targets
• Future-proof one of Britain’s most iconic manufacturing facilities
• Support the global shift to zero-emission vehicles

As demand for electric vehicles continues to rise, having domestic production capacity ensures that MINI can meet consumer expectations while reducing carbon emissions across its value chain.

The Road Ahead

By 2030, every MINI produced at the Oxford plant will be electric, marking a full transition to zero-emissions production. BMW’s bold investment in electrification not only preserves a historic UK manufacturing site but positions it at the centre of the automotive future.

The Future Is Electric, And It’s Made in Sunderland

Nissan is placing the UK at the centre of the global EV revolution with its groundbreaking EV36Zero project where a £1 billion initiative will turn Sunderland into a flagship hub for electric vehicle innovation, battery production, and renewable energy integration.

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Launched in 2021, EV36Zero is more than just a manufacturing upgrade. It's a complete ecosystem for electrification, combining advanced vehicle assembly, a battery gigafactory, and sustainable energy infrastructure, all on one site.

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EVs at Scale: The Next Generation of Nissan Vehicles
At the heart of EV36Zero is the production of next-generation electric models, including:

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• The new all-electric Nissan Qashqai
• An electric version of the JUKE
• A reimagined LEAF, Nissan’s global EV pioneer

These vehicles will be manufactured at scale, reinforcing Sunderland’s role as a major export base and a vital component of Nissan’s global EV strategy.

What EV36Zero Delivers

Nissan's Sunderland site has long been one of the UK’s largest car manufacturing facilities. With the EV36Zero upgrade, it now includes:

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• A new £450 million battery gigafactory developed in partnership with AESC, capable of producing enough batteries for 100,000 EVs per year
• Sustainable energy systems, including a private renewable microgrid powered by wind and solar energy
• On-site circularity, with a focus on recycling and reusing EV components to reduce waste and emissions

Together, these elements create a fully integrated, low-carbon manufacturing ecosystem - the first of its kind in the UK.

A Blueprint for the Automotive Industry

EV36Zero is designed as a replicable model for other global facilities. It shows how automakers, energy companies, and governments can collaborate to deliver sustainable transport at scale.
Nissan’s investment supports:

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• UK net-zero goals, including the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars
• Job creation and upskilling, securing thousands of roles in advanced manufacturing
• Export leadership, enabling the UK to compete in the fast-growing EV global market

With strong support from the UK Government and private industry, Sunderland is fast becoming a template for the green automotive economy.

Driving Tomorrow, Today

As the world accelerates towards zero-emission transport, the success of EV36Zero proves that the future of electric mobility can be built at home, with British engineering, global partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability.

From the North East of England, Nissan is setting the pace for the global EV race and Sunderland is leading the charge.

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As the UK accelerates toward its 2050 net zero target, the spotlight is turning toward the foundational materials driving the green transition—none more critical than lithium.

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From powering electric vehicles to storing renewable energy, lithium-ion batteries are central to decarbonising transport and energy systems. Yet, while demand is soaring, the UK remains almost entirely dependent on international supply chains for refined lithium. In a time of growing geopolitical tension, export bans, and market volatility, this reliance presents a significant strategic vulnerability.

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At Tees Valley Lithium, we believe domestic refining capacity is no longer optional—it is essential for the UK’s clean energy future.
Addressing the Bottleneck in the Battery.

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Supply Chain

Lithium itself is not scarce. It is mined in regions such as Australia, South America, and parts of Africa. However, the true pinch point lies in refining—transforming raw lithium into battery-grade lithium hydroxide or carbonate, the form required for high-performance electric vehicle batteries.


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Today, more than 90 percent of the world’s lithium is refined in East Asia. Even when mined in stable, allied nations, the raw material often travels thousands of miles for processing before being shipped again to European manufacturers. This not only embeds unnecessary emissions into the supply chain but also leaves countries like the UK exposed to price fluctuations, trade disruptions, and delays.

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The Urgent Need for UK Capacity

The UK has committed to ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, with a rapid transition to electric vehicles already underway. According to the Faraday Institution, domestic demand for battery-grade lithium could exceed 70,000 tonnes per year by 2030. At present, there is no large-scale refining capacity in the UK to meet this need.


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Without the ability to process lithium on home soil, the UK risks missing out on the economic, strategic, and environmental benefits that come from localised, value-added production.

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Tees Valley Lithium: A National Asset in the Making

Our facility at Wilton International in Teesside is being developed to address this gap. Once operational, it will be one of the first independent lithium hydroxide refineries in Europe.

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Tees Valley Lithium will:

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• Provide a secure and reliable supply of battery-grade lithium to UK and European gigafactories
• Reduce carbon emissions by shortening transport routes and using cleaner processing technologies
• Create high-value employment and investment in the North East of England
• Support the UK’s Critical Minerals Strategy and strengthen domestic supply chain resilience

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Building a Net Zero Economy from the Ground Up

The green transition requires more than pledges. It requires industrial action and infrastructure that reflects the urgency and scale of the challenge. Domestic lithium refining offers the UK an opportunity to lead, not follow, in the race toward sustainable transport and energy systems.


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At Tees Valley Lithium, we are proud to be building that foundation. By anchoring critical mineral processing in the UK, we are not just refining lithium—we are refining the future.