Plans to open a dedicated facility to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) in the UK have been unveiled.

Hyperbat Limited, a joint venture between Williams Advanced Engineering and Unipart Manufacturing Group, will operate the new multi-million-pound factory in Coventry, which is expected to start production in early 2019.

The two companies are also working to start production for Aston Martin’s first electric supercar, the RapidE

The new venture aims to provide a secure supply chain for UK-based car manufacturers as they transition to greener vehicles, with the potential to provide similar solutions to the marine and aircraft sectors in the future.

It is part of a £500 million investment pledged by industry for low emission technology, which is expected to create 1,000 jobs across the UK.

The announcement comes as Prime Minister Theresa May is due to commit £106 million funding boost for research and development in green vehicles, batteries and technologies at the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Summit in Birmingham today.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “Hybrid and electric vehicles will play a key part in Britain’s cleaner and greener future and this new high-tech facility – inspired by a government-funded Advanced Propulsion Centre project – will develop new vehicle battery technologies and create high-skilled jobs in Coventry.”