Uniti plans EV pilot plant at Silverstone

Uniti Sweden aims to have an electric vehicle “pilot production plant” ready by 2020 at Silverstone Park, the home of the British Grand Prix.

The facility will be used to produce the Uniti One electric car, while serving as a blueprint for globally licensed “digital” assembly plants throughout the world.

The initiative aligns with the United Kingdom’s industrial strategy to lead the world in zero emission and autonomous vehicle technologies.

“The UK’s approach to vehicle production, with its focus on light-weighting and innovation in advanced materials, is an ideal model for electric car production globally,” Uniti chief executive officer Lewis Horne says. “It’s no secret that some of the world’s best vehicle engineers are clustered around Silverstone. When coupled with a government receptive to our ambition and goals, we couldn’t find a better home to establish our pilot production facility.”

This is the first of several planned initiatives for Uniti to establish itself in the UK, working towards a goal of becoming a major player in the country’s EV market over the next few years.

The Swedish carmaker has already engaged a team of engineers at a research and development centre in Northamptonshire while fostering partnerships with local companies such as KW Special Projects (light-weight structure and additive manufacturing), Danecca (EV powertrain), and Unipart (global supply chain).

Uniti is setting up a London office to ensure capital is raised for UK operations.

“The future of Great Britain is electric and autonomous,” Uniti vehicle development director Sally Povolotsky says. Once the Uniti pilot plant facility is fully operational it can take the blueprint globally, she adds.

Uniti plans to unveil its production models in late 2019 and deliver vehicles to pre-order customers throughout northern Europe shortly after.

It has a limited equity crowdfunding campaign through UK-based Crowdcube to give British investors an opportunity to own shares in the company.