The LEAF will be produced in Sunderland

The workers at the British Sunderland plant keep receiving good news. On top of the recent increase in hours worked, the plant will now become the third location of the Japanese brand dedicated to the manufacture of electric cars. Although the car will go on sale at the end of 2010, the Sunderland plant will begin producing them in 2013.

Furthermore, this plant already manufactures lithium-ion batteries, to which the investment needed to build the LEAF is added, for a total of 450 million euros. In addition, the British government will subsidise around 22.5 million euros, and the European Investment Bank may contribute up to around 220 million euros.

British politicians are delighted with the news, which reinforces the Japanese brand’s commitment to the United Kingdom, maintaining more than 2,000 jobs. The 50,000 units a year that will be produced in Sunderland will join those from the Oppama plant in Japan and the Tennessee plant in the United States to total 200,000 units a year.

It is worth noting that the Nissan LEAF will be the first electric car produced for mass-market sale and that in just 30 minutes it charges 80% of its battery, which provides a driving range of 160 kilometres. It is capable of exceeding 140 km/h and is a five-seat compact family car.

Source | Nissan