Electric car maker expands into an extra 30,000 sq ft at Bicester

Electric van maker Arrival Ltd has taken a second unit at Network @ Link 9 in Bicester.

The fast-expanding business, which acquired Unit 1A in February, has now agreed a 10-year lease at £8.25 per sq ft on 30,000 sq ft Unit 6 which will be used for manufacturing.

The deal was agreed by VSL & Partners and White Commercial for landlord Barings Real Estate Advisers.

Arrival is developing the world’s first ‘Generation 2’ electric vehicle for commercial customers. As well as carrying out a trials with a number of delivery companies, Arrival has an order of 10,000 vehicles from logistics giant UPS.

Arrival occupies offices in London as well as R&D centres in Banbury, the US, Germany, Russia, Netherlands and Israel. It also plans to build micro factories near Los Angeles and New York.

VSL director Tom Barton said: “We are working closely with Arrival to facilitate their property requirements in Oxfordshire and are delighted to have secured a further manufacturing plant to accommodate their continuing growth.

“Arrival is bucking the current trend and taking big strides to facilitate their ability to meet demand. Their expansion is truly impressive and a testament to the technology and investment confidence in the business model.”

Glenn Saint, chief of commercial vehicles for Arrival, said: “Arrival is revolutionising electric vehicles with our Generation 2 solution that means customers can buy a purpose-built electric vehicle for the same price or less than a petrol or diesel equivalent.

“Critical to making this possible is manufacturing in micro factories which can serve the local community and respond rapidly to local demand.”