The new centre will provide a production and R&D hub for Switch Mobility’s contemporary electric buses and light commercial vehicles as part of the company’s global strategy
Switch Mobility has announced the establishment of a new manufacturing and technology centre in Castilla y León, Spain, and to be headed up by newly-appointed President of Switch Mobility Iberia Eva Astrid José Driessen. With a significant presence already in the UK and India, the new facility will extend Switch’s footprint as part of the company’s global expansion plans.
Switch’s first facility in continental Europe will see the company invest around €100 million over the next decade. The hub will comprise two production lines and is expected to see the first buses produced in the last quarter of 2022. With an initial focus on the manufacture of net zero carbon electric vehicles for the European market and research and development for Switch’s next generation of electric buses and light commercial vehicles, the site will also have capacity to serve markets further afield, including South America. Switch has worked closely with the Spanish national and regional governments during the planning stages and is also closely collaborating with the local town halls, with a memorandum of understanding signed in October.
Dr Andy Palmer, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of Switch Mobility, said: “We are delighted that Switch is launching its first site in continental Europe in the province of Valladolid, Spain where we will benefit greatly from the regions abundance of talent. Supporting our well-established sites in the UK and India, our Spanish facility will provide us with crucial access to the European market. On behalf of the board, I would like to thank the Minister of Economy of the Castilla y León Government, Carlos Fernández Carriedo and the Mayor of Valladolid, Oscar Puente who have been hugely supportive of the project and have worked closely with Switch over the last six months. I look forward to building on this relationship as we develop Switch’s advanced, carbon-neutral facility and work with the region to support their transition to a fully electric bus fleet.”
Carlos Fernandez Carriedo, Minister of Economy and Ana Carlota Amigo, Minister of Employment in the Castilla y León government, expressed their satisfaction at the establishment of an industrial project of this important within the region: “We thank Switch Mobility for the trust place in Castilla y León. The government of Castilla y León will continue to strengthen the factors that have led to this decision, especially the qualifications of the regions employees, the network of first and second tier suppliers and the institutional stability. All of this has led to foreign investment continuing to place its trust in Castilla y León. The autonomous Government and its President Alfonso Fernandez Manueco will continue to ensure Castilla y Leon remains a region of investment and quality employment.”
Oscar Puente, Mayor of Valladolid, commented: “Switch Mobility’s project is fully in line with our commitment to industrialise and diversify Valladolid’s industrial make-up. The sustainable mobility policy promoted by Valladolid city council aims for complete decarbonisation and a rapid transition from combustion vehicles to zero-emission mobility. Today is a great day for Valladolid, which gains an industrial project that generates skilled employment, wealth and innovation; a project that represents a better future for our region.”
In keeping with Switch’s zero carbon philosophy, all operations will be powered entirely by renewable energy and a state-of-the-art energy monitoring and management system will be installed. Carbon neutrality will remain a priority during the construction phase, with materials sourced from suppliers with credible net zero policies and sustainable commitments and logistics operated by electric vehicles wherever possible.
With a strong automotive supply chain within the region, excellent transport links and a high level of skilled automotive engineers and operatives, Switch identified Castilla y León as the ideal location for the new facility, which is expected to generate significant economic benefit to surrounding communities, creating up to 2,000 direct jobs and around 5,000 indirect jobs. Construction of the new centre will commence on 27 January.
