Nissan has announced the production of its second and third new electric vehicles in the UK, expanding its EV36Zero hub. This transformative initiative will necessitate the establishment of a third gigafactory to support the UK’s largest car plant. The commitment to electric vehicles by Nissan facilitates an investment of up to £3 billion, covering three models, battery production, and infrastructure. The flagship Nissan Qashqai, JUKE, and LEAF models will all transition to all-electric versions. These future models will draw inspiration from the Hyper Urban, Hyper Punk, and Chill-Out concepts.
The Sunderland-based EV36Zero hub, a blueprint for future manufacturing, will now consist of three electric vehicles, three gigafactories, and significant investment. This development is welcomed news for Nissan’s 7,000 employees in the UK and the 30,000 jobs supported in the UK supply chain. The entire manufacturing process, including vehicle and battery production, will be powered by the EV36Zero Microgrid, utilizing wind and solar farms at the Nissan facility. Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida emphasized the significance of this project, positioning the Sunderland plant as the core of Nissan’s future vision for an all-electric future in Europe.
The announcement aligns with Nissan’s commitment to making all new cars in Europe fully electric and aims for its entire passenger car lineup in Europe to be 100% electric by 2030. This move is part of Nissan’s broader Ambition 2030 vision, striving to be a sustainable company contributing to a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed confidence in Nissan’s investment, asserting that it solidifies Sunderland’s position as a hub for electric vehicle innovation and manufacturing.
Nissan’s investment includes up to £1.12 billion for research and development, manufacturing improvements, skills training, and tooling for suppliers. The three new electric vehicles, based on the Qashqai, JUKE, and LEAF models, will be inspired by the Hyper Urban, Hyper Punk, and Chill-Out concepts, respectively. Specific details about the names, specifications, and launch dates of these models will be disclosed later.
This announcement builds on the initial £1 billion investment in the EV36Zero project, transforming the Sunderland manufacturing facility into a world-leading electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem. The expansion also includes a Microgrid project initiated by the Sunderland City Council, capable of delivering 100% renewable electricity to Nissan and its neighboring suppliers. The UK government has further supported this initiative with a £15 million funding grant for a collaborative project led by Nissan, enhancing the technical expertise and research and development capabilities of the Nissan Technical Centre.
In conjunction with this announcement, a new Investment Zone (IZ) for North East England has been confirmed, focusing on Advanced Manufacturing and Green Industries. This aligns with the government’s plan for the automotive sector, creating jobs, driving growth, and reinforcing the UK’s position as a major manufacturer. The Investment Zone aims to capitalize on the region’s strengths in automotive and advanced manufacturing, attracting further investments of similar scale and significance. The EV36Zero project is a pivotal component of Nissan’s Ambition 2030 vision, contributing to the company’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality across the lifecycle of its products by fiscal year 2050.
courtesy : https://global.nissannews.com