Liberty Electric Cars to create 250 jobs in North East England
Friday, February 27th
Liberty Electric Cars will begin manufacturing the world's first zero emission, electric 4x4s in North East England later this year.
The Oxford-based company has signed a memorandum of understanding with One North East to invest £30m into manufacturing electric vehicles at a base at Nelson Industrial Estate, Cramlington, Northumberland, and is in discussions with major suppliers in the region.
Production volume for the first vehicle, a plug-in electric Range Rover, is likely to top 1,000 annually, creating 250 new jobs and contributing over £120m a year into the local economy. Future production will include other Land Rover models and prestige marques, incorporating the company's unique electric drive-train.
Barry Shrier, Liberty founder and CEO, said: "The Liberty Electric Range Rover takes electric vehicle technology into a new sector, to large luxury cars that people aspire to drive, particularly in cities and urban environments where environmental controls are becoming increasingly tighter.
"North East England, through the stewardship of One North East, is fast becoming a world leader in clean energy, infrastructure development and electric vehicle manufacturing, which is why we feel that our business will prosper here. We have also been greatly encouraged by the region's strong academic links."
Liberty electric cars incorporate a state of the art energy storage and management system, which delivers superior performance compared with existing technology. The Liberty Electric Range Rover has a 200 mile range, stunning acceleration and will top 100mph. Prices are expected to be in the region of £125,000 depending on model and specification.
Alan Clarke, One North East Chief Executive, said: "This investment is excellent news for the region and places North East England at the forefront of electric vehicle manufacture and infrastrucutre development.
"The decision by Liberty Electric Cars to establish a North East manufacturing base reflects their confidence in the region's skills base and the work we are doing to create an electric charging point infrastructure across the North East to allow electric vehicles to operate to their full potential.
"Electric vehicle development opens up an exciting future for the automotive industry and we are determined that North East England will play a leading role in this development."
Nick Brown MP, Minister for the North East, said: "The North East is home to a number of exciting projects in the renewable energy sector which can make a real impact on the region's employment base.
"The creation of 250 jobs from the Liberty Electric Cars project demonstrates this."
Bob Coxon, Chairman of the North East England Science and Industry Council, said: "The North East's technology strategy which has been pursued consistently over many years is once again paying off with jobs in new growth companies. Our focus on clean energy technology is a key reason for Liberty choosing the North East above other possible locations in the UK and internationally."
The market for electric cars is still in its early stages, however exponential growth is expected, starting at the high end of the market, as legislation, social awareness and technological advances accelerate change in transport choices. Liberty's flexibility and rapid prototype and manufacturing programme places the company well ahead of its competition.
Electric vehicles have 80 per cent lower running costs than petrol cars. Electrical power is also a more efficient source of power, as petrol engines only use around 25 per cent of their energy to create motion - the vast majority is lost in heat and the mechanical movement of the engine and transmission. Electric motors deliver 90 per cent efficiency.
