Fortescue to open WAE battery and powertrain facility in Oxfordshire

Fortescue has announced it is expanding its battery and electric powertrain production operations in the UK with plans for an additional facility in Oxfordshire, focused on the production of a wide range of zero-emission products for the off-road sector including trucks and trains.

Fortescue Chairman Andrew Forrest said the expansion is part of Fortescue’s commitment to grow its British presence through the recent integration of British manufacturers WAE (formerly Williams Advanced Engineering).  

“With Fortescue’s investment, British engineering will be at the cutting edge of the green energy economy with WAE’s battery systems providing world leading technology to the entire global industrial sector,” Dr Forrest said. “It is heartening to have the UK’s Trade Secretary today at our factory in Oxfordshire to support this message of British technology excellence for both its people and its highly attractive working environment.”

Fortescue will open a new state-of-the-art site in Banbury, Oxfordshire, significantly expanding its UK manufacturing capability, supplying advanced batteries and electric powertrains globally.

The new location will be focused on production of a wide range of zero-emission products for the off-road sector including trucks and trains. It will form part of a new global business aimed at driving decarbonisation in all fields of economic activity, while building sovereign capabilities in emerging technology.

The Banbury site, which covers 13,500m2, will be a purpose-built facility focusing primarily on manufacturing of heavy industry, electric/ zero-emission powertrain systems. It will offer automated assembly for battery modules and packs, assembly of power conversion and power systems, as well as truck and train production support.

The first prototype build is targeted for July/August 2023 with the first mining haul truck module due for completion in August 2023.