JLR Invests US$654m to Transform Halewood for EV Production
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has embarked on a transformative journey with a significant US$654m investment to upgrade its historic Halewood facility.
The transformation aims to transition the site into a state-of-the-art EV production hub, aligning with JLR's ambitious sustainability goals.
With this investment, JLR plans to eliminate 40,000 tonnes of CO2e from Halewood's industrial footprint by 2031, pushing the boundaries of automotive innovation and green manufacturing.
Driving towards a sustainable future
The bold move is part of JLR's Reimagine strategy, a comprehensive initiative designed to electrify all its vehicle brands by 2030. The ultimate goal is to achieve carbon net zero across its entire supply chain, products and operations by 2039. As JLR continues to reshape its business model, sustainability is at the core of this evolution.
Central to these efforts is the use of renewable energy. JLR has announced plans to install 18,000 photovoltaic panels at the Halewood site, generating an impressive 8,600 GWh of energy.
Renewable energy will cover around 10% of the site's energy needs. JLR aims to create more than a third of its global energy requirements from self-produced renewables as part of a broader strategy.
The installation of solar car parks at Halewood provides low-carbon charging solutions for employees and visitors, marking another step towards a sustainable future.
Reducing emissions with innovation
Halewood's existing paint shop has undergone a significant upgrade, resulting in a daily reduction of 2.4 tonnes of CO2e and an annual saving of 565 tonnes. Introducing a new hydrogen-enabled boiler sets a precedent for future decarbonisation efforts at the plant.
Further boosting its commitment to sustainability, JLR is redeploying thousands of pieces of refurbished equipment from its Castle Bromwich site to Halewood. It includes robots, automated vehicles and various joining and calibration equipment.
The redeployment initiative has already saved the company over US$21m. By repurposing 44 SCA adhesive pump systems alone, JLR expects to save US$1.9m, reducing costs by 62% compared to purchasing new systems and cutting CO2 emissions by 77%, equivalent to saving approximately 207 tonnes of carbon.
Commitment to circular economy principle
Reuben Chorley, JLR's Sustainable Industrial Operations Director, emphasised the company's commitment to sustainability by stating,
"At JLR Halewood, we're driving transformation through circular principles: use less, extend the life of what we have and reuse wherever possible. By repurposing equipment from other sites, we're not just cutting costs but making smarter, more sustainable choices. We're ramping energy efficiency and embracing renewables with exciting plans to integrate hydrogen into our operations. With cutting-edge technology and a highly skilled team, Halewood is set to be a game-changer in our journey to net zero."
Empowering the workforce
JLR's transformation extends beyond infrastructure to its workforce. The company invests US$26m annually in its Future Skills Programme, equipping employees with critical knowledge in emerging systems and technologies.
The new training centre at Halewood focuses on High Voltage Training (HVT), preparing workers for battery assembly processes integral to EV production. Almost 25,000 JLR employees have completed sustainability training, with over 500 receiving specialised manufacturing immersion sessions. An advanced training program focusing on circularity will roll out shortly to embed sustainability further into the company's culture.
A holistic approach to emissions reduction
JLR's comprehensive energy optimisation projects have led to a 24.1% reduction in operational emissions over the past four years. Through a combination of renewable energy adoption, equipment upgrades and innovative fuel-switching strategies, JLR is on track to cut emissions across its operations by 46% by 2030.
With the transformative changes, the Halewood facility is set to become a cornerstone of JLR's electrification and sustainability strategy, positioning it as a leader in the green automotive revolution.
As JLR continues to innovate and lead the way in sustainable manufacturing, Halewood will play a crucial role in driving the company's vision of a greener, more sustainable future.
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