West Midlands Powers Battery Innovation
What is the FAST project?
FAST (Formation, Ageing and Sustainability Testing) is a research project funded by the Faraday Institution and led by University of Birmingham Scientists. It will create a framework for key battery manufacturing-related processes, streamlining the most costly, time-intensive aspects of lithium-ion battery manufacturing. Improving these phases will cut costs, improve battery life, increase safety, and reduce carbon footprints. Going beyond lab work, the project’s goal is to make scalable, industrially relevant advancements that can enhance manufacturing and supply lines.
How the FAST project fits into this emerging ecosystem
FAST will complement and reinforces several large-scale, strategic developments in the region:
- UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) in Coventry: The UK’s national battery development facility helps companies grow their battery manufacturing and provides the skills and support to move in to industrial production.
- Coventry & Warwick Investment Zone: A large-scale development within the West Midlands Investment Zone, with infrastructure being developed that will advance battery tech at pace for manufacturing, supply chains, recycling etc.
- Investment Zone Advantages: The West Midlands Investment Zone gives investors tangible benefits such as location, infrastructure readiness, regulatory support, and tax incentives. For battery manufacturers, that means lower risk to establish, faster time to deployment, and closer access to R&D partners (like Birmingham City University and Aston University).
West Midlands: A Landscape Ready for Investment
- A Large, Skilled Population & Education Base: The West Midlands is home to over 4.7 million people, with around 87,000 graduates from higher education institutions. That’s a strong talent pipeline for advanced engineering, materials, science, R&D and manufacturing.
- Strategic Location & Connectivity: Birmingham is centrally located in England, with excellent transport networks by road, rail & air, meaning supply chains, shipping, and logistics are efficient. Also, over 80% of UK cities are within a four-hour drive.
- Vibrant Economy & Growth Potential: The region has a GVA of around £117 billion. Growth has been strong, and the West Midlands is also one of the top UK regions for foreign direct investment outside of London in 2024/25.
- Supportive Investment Environment: The West Midlands Investment Zone offers incentives (e.g. tax reliefs at certain sites) and a business-friendly environment.
What this means for investors
- A complete ecosystem: Design, test and produce all in one region and a skilled workforce with R&D facilities for investors to tap in to a skilled workforce.
- Cost efficiencies: Being in a region with established industrial networks and good connectivity reduces overhead, logistics costs, and time delays.
- Policy and incentives that are aligned: With multiple tax incentives and low business costs, the UK provides flexibility to both domestic and international companies looking to invest.
The £6 million FAST project is more than just a win, it’s proof that the West Midlands is building momentum, capacity and reputation in the battery innovation space. With strong infrastructure, government support, skilled talent, and research facilities like UKBIC our region is proving itself as the UK’s battery hub.
