Nissan has unveiled plans that will transform its Sunderland site into a £1bn flagship EV hub as part of its EV36Zero project.
The Japanese car manufacturer said it aims to create a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem. The hub will feature a gigafactory with an initial 9GWh plant for battery production.
Partnering with Envision AESC, battery technology company, and Sunderland City Council, Nissan aims to create a low-carbon plant. Potential future-phase investment of £1.8bn by Envision AESC, could generate up to 25GWh and creates 4,500 new high-value green jobs in the region by 2030, with potential on site for up to 35GWh.
Nissan president Makoto Uchida, said: “This project comes as part of Nissan’s pioneering efforts to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entire lifecycle of our products. Our comprehensive approach includes not only the development and production of EVs, but also the use of on-board batteries as energy storage and their reuse for secondary purposes.
“Our announcement comes out of lengthy discussions held within our teams and will greatly accelerate our efforts in Europe to achieve carbon neutrality. The experience and know-how gained through the project announced today will be shared globally, enhancing Nissan’s global competitiveness.
“Nissan will continue to leverage its strengths in electrification to become a company that continues to provide value to its customers and society.”
As part of the project Nissan will invest up to £423m to produce a new-generation all-electric vehicle in the UK. It will also create 6,200 jobs at Nissan and its UK suppliers, including more than 900 new Nissan jobs and 750 new Envision AESC jobs.
UK business secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: “This fantastic investment by Nissan and Envision AESC represents a solemn commitment to the people of Sunderland, bringing further high-skilled jobs and turbocharging our plans to level up the North East. This is a huge step forward in our ambition to put the UK at the front of the global electric vehicle race, and further proof, if any was needed, that the UK remains one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive manufacturing.
“I am extremely proud that Nissan has not only reaffirmed its belief in Britain, but is doubling down on its long-standing commitment to our country. The cars made in this plant, using batteries made just down the road at the UK’s first at scale gigafactory, will have a huge role to play as we transition away from petrol and diesel cars and kick-start a domestic electric vehicle manufacturing base.”
