Production of the new Nissan LEAF is now underway in Sunderland after a multi-million pound investment into the plant to allow for additional EV manufacturing.
The new LEAF is being manufactured on production line two after Nissan put £450 million into the plant to enable to the model to built in the UK.
Batteries for the car are also being produced at a new gigafactory next door.
“Nissan has invested into our state-of-the-art plant to build the EVs of the future and there is huge pride and excitement in our team to be building this brilliant car in Sunderland,” Adam Pennick, Vice President of manufacturing at the Sunderland plant said.
“The skills, expertise and team-work of our people have powered Sunderland’s success, and the transformation of our plant for new LEAF demonstrates our leadership in the journey to electrification.”
A ceremony was held at the site to signal the start of production, with the first LEAF to roll out of the factory being a luminous teal-coloured Evolve grade model equipped with a 75kw battery.
That will provide range of up to 386 miles and reflects how battery technology has improved since the second generation LEAF was launched back in 2017, when maximum range was just 170 miles.
A larger battery version was then introduced in 2019, albeit with a maximum range of 212 miles that is still well below the newest model.
- Nissan
- Electric