JLR's EV investment in Coventry is boon for city and country, says councillor
Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) new £250m electric vehicle (EV) testing facility is a huge boon for Coventry and the country, says a leading city councillor.
Investment in the 323,000 sq ft Future Energy Lab at Whitley has created 350 new jobs as JLR is preparing to launch nine pure electric luxury models by 2030.
READ MORE: Jaguar Land Rover reports continued growth ahead of shift to EV
Cllr Jim O'Boyle, cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, said: "It will keep our city at the forefront of the automotive industry, both now and in the future and cement our reputation as a global leader in the industry's new technologies.
"Coventry is a proud innovative, engineering city with a long and illustrious past, and we are using that reputation to rebuild for an exciting future as the automotive industry goes through unprecedented change."
He said the people of Coventry and the entire country could be proud of it and it joins the city's advances in electric battery production, plans for Coventry Very Light Rail, a new recycling facility and more.
"It really is an exciting time for Coventry, and we send our thanks and congratulations to JLR for creating such an industry-leading facility here in our city that will create jobs and produce cars from Coventry that are known and loved around the world.
"We have worked together for many years now and achieved so much together and this fantastic EV testing lab is a show of the company's faith in our city, its future, and its skilled workforce."
Oliver Boakes, chief engineer, powertrain test operations at JLR, added: "Our operations at Whitley are at the heart of JLR – itself a leading business in the local community – so this test facility is another jewel in the crown of our move towards an all-electric future.
"This is a notable investment for the business and local economy."
JLR is planning a further £22m worth of investment next year, as it continues to upgrade the Coventry site.
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