Close Menu
  • News
  • Home
  • In Profile
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Events
  • Features
  • Wellbeing & Mental Health
  • Marketing
  • HR & Recruitment
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
Trending
  • Putting information security first is your first step to building digital trust.
  • Why the crackdown on late payments could be a turning point for SMEs
  • MPs bring Google training to regions outside London
  • Nearly Half of London Start-Ups Unfamiliar with Tax Obligations, New Analysis Reveals
  • AI isn’t just for the big players: How SMEs can effectively leverage AI
  • UK Businesses Are Suffering From The Tariff Turmoil
  • How employers can help LGBTQIA+ employees thrive
  • Meeting Overload: A symptom of a bigger problem?
X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
SME Today
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
  • News
  • Home
  • In Profile
  • Finance
  • Legal
  • Technology
  • Events
  • Features
  • Wellbeing
  • Marketing
  • HR & Recruitment
SME Today
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Events Calendar
  • Business Wall
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • 0843 289 4634
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • RSS
You are at:Home»News»Action Net Zero calls on Government to help bring Electric Car maker Rivian to the South West
electric car charging

Action Net Zero calls on Government to help bring Electric Car maker Rivian to the South West

0
Posted By sme-admin on September 10, 2021 News

Action Net Zero, the community interest company with the mission to help the city of Bristol embrace a greener future, has backed a call to encourage Amazon-backed car company Rivian to set up shop in the South West.

The USA based company specialises in making electric cars including larger SUVs (sports utility vehicles) and is apparently looking for a large UK or European base from which to manufacture its vehicles.

Rumour has it that the company is considering a large site close to J23 of the M5 in Somerset and, were it to make a decision to come to the South West, the move could bring thousands of ‘green’ jobs as well as establish a thriving supply chain.
Pam Barbato of Action Net Zero CIC said:Pamela Barbato, the creator of Action Net Zero Bristol “The South West, already a leader in collaborative partnerships, could enable this to happen with the support of the government. The South West is a home for pioneering organisations, public and private working together to support sustainable design, production and supply, enabling the delivery of carbon neutral products and services.  “This is the perfect region for Rivian to deliver on its commitment of being carbon neutral by 2028.”
>Rivian, based in California, says ‘we believe there is a more responsible way to explore the world’. The company is looking to expand and were it to come to the UK it would create the biggest car manufacturing plant since the 1980s with an investment of around $1bn in the UK economy.

However there are fears the UK could lose out to other possible European sites if the terms are not favourable – and agreed swiftly. One of the perceived weaknesses of the South West is the fact that Bristol is not a ‘free’ port.

A free port means it would be a designated zone where normal tax and tariff rules do not apply. There are currently eight free ports in the UK with only Plymouth in the South West. This has caused consternation for business leaders in the region who feel the move would accelerate growth especially in the green economy.

West of England mayor Dan Norris also sees big benefits to his West of England constituency of Rivian coming to the South West and, like ANZ Bristol, has been calling on the Government to act quickly.

He said: “The Somerset site is a one-off and is ideal for this new plant. If we are serious about net zero, we should be seizing the moment to get these green jobs secured for the West of England and for Britain.   “It’s the right location with Bristol port on the doorstep, and rail links ripe for improvement. The sheer size of the plant is something we have not seen before and would bring high skilled jobs directly and in the supply chain.

 “But time is of the essence. If Rivian don’t choose Somerset they will announce a deal elsewhere in Europe very soon. That’s why I am urging the Government to come up with the right package to secure the deal.”

Action Net Zero Bristol is currently running a campaign in Bristol around encouraging people to embrace greener transport from walking to cycling to driving electric vehicles. Its partners see Rivian as a fantastic opportunity in moving the city and region towards net zero.

One of those partners is Edwards, which has an R&D and manufacturing facility in Clevedon focusing on green, environmental solutions for the enabling microchip and display technologies you find in smartphones, laptops, notebooks, solar panels and televisions.

Dr Chris Jones, environmental business development manager said: “As electric car sales increase, the importance of an environmental supply chain for production, and subsequent increase in the need of EV charging points, is going to be vital. “Smart electric cars and EV charging will depend on semiconductors, information displays and potential solar power generation. Already in this region we are the leading environmental solution provider to the semiconductor, display, photovoltaic cell manufacture and LED industry. “Our company continues to grow and currently employs over 500 people in the South West.”

 Another partner is Good Energy, based in Wiltshire. Charlie Parry, who is head of investor relations at Good Energy and non-executive director at Zap-Map, said: “Bristol and the South West is primed to lead the UK way in electric vehicles. It’s a leader in tech and startups, with some of the best engineering, research and development talent in the UK. 

“It also has a long history of commitment to the environment and protecting our planet. Add to that the obviously advantageous geographical benefits and it’s the perfect place for an EV manufacturing hub. As a leader in cleantech Good Energy has been proud to call the South West our home for over 20 years and would welcome Rivian to join us.”

 Action Net Zero Bristol is a community interest company which seeks to bring together businesses and residents to help them live greener lives. It provides information on the green economy, green choices which people can make in their lives now and looks to a net zero future for all. To find out more about Action Net Zero visit https://www.actionnetzero.org

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

Related Posts

MPs bring Google training to regions outside London

UK Businesses Are Suffering From The Tariff Turmoil

Dementia Advocate Shares Tips For Supporting People With Dementia When Flying

Comments are closed.

Follow SME Today on Linkedin and share all the topics you find interesting
ISO/IEC 27001 roadmap: A practical guide for UK SMEs
ISO/IEC 27001 roadmap: A practical guide for UK SMEs
Are you a Company Director?
Are you a Company Director - Verify your identity
Personal Pension offer
Events Calendar
    • Marketing
    September 9, 2025

    SEO 101 for SMBs: Reaching Customers with the Right Visuals

    August 29, 2025

    OneMetric forms strategic partnership with RevOps expert to drive UK growth

    • Finance
    September 16, 2025

    Why the crackdown on late payments could be a turning point for SMEs

    September 15, 2025

    Nearly Half of London Start-Ups Unfamiliar with Tax Obligations, New Analysis Reveals

    • People
    September 11, 2025

    New Chief Revenue Officer joins CBS to drive strategic growth

    August 14, 2025

    A Life Worth Saving – A Tribute to Dame Stephanie Shirley CH, 1933–2025

    • Health & Safety
    September 2, 2025

    1 in 3 employees anxious about lack of first aiders at work

    July 1, 2025

    Temperatures Soaring: Is Your Workplace Becoming Unsafe?

    • Events
    September 9, 2025

    Nominations for the 2026 Bold Woman Award by Veuve Clicquot open

    July 22, 2025

    South West Expo Delivers Outstanding Event at Swindon’s STEAM Museum

    • Community
    July 11, 2025

    Building community, one cause at a time

    June 23, 2025

    Celebrating One Year In Fairford Supporting The Community

    • Food & Drink
    August 22, 2025

    How to get stocked by major retailers as an SME

    July 18, 2025

    Warning to Small Businesses Over New Food Waste Regulations

    • Books
    September 3, 2025

    New book on conquering fear of public speaking

    August 7, 2025

    Learning to Leave a Legacy in Business

    The Newsletter

    Join our mailing list for the best SME stories, handpicked and delivered direct to your inbox every two weeks!

    Sign Up
    About

    SME Today is published by the same team who deliver The Great British Expos’. We have been organising various corporate events for the last 10 years, with a strong track record of producing well managed and attended business events across the UK.

    Join Our Mailing List

    Receive the latest news and updates from SMEToday.
    Read our Latest Newsletter:


    Sign Up
    X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    Categories
    • Books
    • Community & Charity
    • Education and Training
    • Environment
    • Events
    • Features
    • Finance
    • Food and Drink
    • Health & Safety
    • HR & Recruitment
    • In Profile
    • Legal
    • Marketing
    • News
    • People
    • Property & Development
    • Sponsored Content
    • Technology
    • Transport & Tourism
    • Wellbeing & Mental Health
    • ABOUT SME TODAY: THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR UK BUSINESSES
    • Editorial Submission Guidelines
    • Privacy
    • Contact
    Copyright © 2025 SME Today.
    • ABOUT SME TODAY: THE GO TO RESOURCE FOR UK BUSINESSES
    • Editorial Submission Guidelines
    • Privacy
    • Contact

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.