Three new electic models to be build in Sunderland by Nissan
Three is the magic number as Nissan accelerates the switch to full electric.
Last updated 24th Nov 2023
Nissan is charging ahead with its vision for a zero emissions future, with confirmation that all three models made at its UK plant will go 100% electric.
Today’s announcement means the EV36Zero hub in Sunderland, Nissan’s blueprint for future manufacturing, will consist of three electric vehicles (EVs), three gigafactories and up to £3bn investment – great news for Nissan’s 7,000 UK employees and the 30,000 jobs supported in the UK supply chain.
Not only does the transformational project include future all-electric versions of Nissan’s flagship Qashqai and JUKE crossovers, but Nissan is also confirming today that the third vehicle planned for UK production will be next-generation Nissan LEAF, the car that dared to spark the electrification of the automotive industry.
Both vehicle and battery manufacturing will be powered by the EV36Zero Microgrid, which will incorporate the wind and solar farms at Nissan and will have the capability to deliver 100% renewable electricity to Nissan and its neighbouring suppliers.
Announcing the plans today to colleagues at the Sunderland plant, Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida said: “Exciting, electric vehicles are at the heart of our plans to achieve carbon neutrality. With electric versions of our core European models on the way, we are accelerating towards a new era for Nissan, for industry and for our customers.
“The EV36Zero project puts our Sunderland plant, Britain’s biggest ever car factory, at the heart of our future vision. It means our UK team will be designing, engineering and manufacturing the vehicles of the future, driving us towards an all-electric future for Nissan in Europe.”
Today’s announcement follows Nissan’s confirmation that all its new cars in Europe from now will be fully electric, and that it expects its passenger car line-up in Europe to be 100% electric by 2030. It also builds on Nissan’s Ambition 2030 vision to become a truly sustainable company, driving towards a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Nissan’s investment is a massive vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry, which already contributes a massive £71 billion a year to our economy. This venture will no doubt secure Sunderland’s future as the UK’s Silicon Valley for electric vehicle innovation and manufacturing.
“Making the UK the best place to do business is at the heart of our economic plan. We will continue to back businesses like Nissan to expand and grow their roots in the UK every step of the way as we make the right long term decisions for a brighter future.”
THREE NEW ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Nissan’s latest investment includes up to £1.12bn into its UK operations and wider supply chain for R&D and manufacturing of the two new models announced today, including facility and manufacturing process improvements, skills training, and tooling for suppliers. This follows the £423m investment announced by Nissan in the first phase of EV36Zero for the first future EV.
These three new electric vehicles represent the future for all three models currently manufactured in Nissan Sunderland Plant:
 Nissan Qashqai – the original crossover, the UK’s best-selling car of 2022 and which represents one in five of all cars built in the UK.
 Nissan JUKE – the rule-breaking compact crossover which has sold more than one million units.
 Nissan LEAF - the world’s first mass market EV, of which more than a quarter of a million have been built in Sunderland.
The three future models will be inspired by three exciting all-electric concept models, two of which were recently unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show:
 The Nissan Hyper Urban Concept, a crossover EV characterized by a sleek and modern aesthetic.
 The Nissan Hyper Punk Concept, an all-electric compact crossover with an exterior aesthetic defined by multifaceted and polygonal surfaces.
 The Nissan Chill-Out Concept, unveiled in 2021 and previously confirmed as the inspiration for a future EV to be built in Sunderland.
Further information about the three models, including names, specifications and launch dates, will be released at a later time.
EV36ZERO
Today’s news builds on Nissan and partners’ initial £1bn investment to create EV36Zero, transforming its Sunderland manufacturing facility and creating a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem.
Complementing vehicle and battery production is the Sunderland City Council-initiated Microgrid project, which will have the capability to deliver 100% renewable electricity to Nissan and its neighbouring suppliers, incorporating the existing Nissan wind and solar farms, including Nissan’s brand new 20MW solar farm.
The additional two models, alongside an additional gigafactory and further investment for infrastructure projects, will result in an investment of up to £2bn. It means Nissan’s plans for the future electric versions of Qashqai, JUKE, and the replacement for LEAF, will enable up to a £3bn investment in the UK.
In addition, the UK Government has awarded ÂŁ15m of funding for a ÂŁ30m collaborative project led by Nissan. It will strengthen the technical expertise and R&D zero emission vehicle capability of the Nissan Technical Centre (NTCE) in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, increasing opportunities for securing additional UK R&D investment in future vehicle models.
Today’s announcement comes as a new Investment Zone (IZ) was confirmed for North East England. The North East Investment Zone will focus on Advanced Manufacturing and Green Industries, building on the Arc of Innovation running from Northumberland down to Sunderland and Durham with opportunities along the Tyne Corridor and benefits felt across the wider region.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “Nissan has a proud history in car manufacturing in Sunderland and their continued commitment to the UK shows how our support for business is getting results – helping create thousands of jobs and solidifying Britain’s place as the world’s 8th largest manufacturer.”
UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “The investment by Nissan in Sunderland shows once again that the Government's plan for the automotive sector is working.
“The forthcoming Advanced Manufacturing Plan will build on this deal and other recent big investment wins for the UK car industry, helping to support thousands of jobs and drive growth across the UK.”
Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Sunderland, the North East and the UK – building on our world-leading strengths in automotive and advanced manufacturing, creating high quality jobs, growing our low carbon economy and further positioning us at the heart of electrification on a global stage. It is a huge vote of confidence in the city and region – and our people - that Nissan has again chosen to invest here.
“The strength of our partnership with businesses like these alongside our ability to work with Government is essential to the continued success of the sector, and the Investment Zone for the North East announced today means we can build on our track record by attracting further investment of this scale and significance.”
EV36Zero is a key part of Nissan Ambition 2030, the company's long-term vision to become a truly sustainable company, driving towards a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world. In this period Nissan will deliver exciting, electrified vehicles and technological innovations while expanding and transforming its operations globally. The vision supports Nissan's goal to be carbon neutral across the lifecycle of its products by fiscal year 2050.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“The announcement that Nissan will build three new electric models in Sunderland is fantastic news that secures the long-term future of the site and the thousands of skilled well-paid jobs it supports.
“Investment from the Automotive Transformation Fund is of course welcome. But the fund is insufficient to ensure the UK automotive industry as a whole, on which countless livelihoods depend, is not left behind during the shift to electric vehicles.
“For Britain to grasp the opportunities this transition presents – more and better jobs, a stronger fairer economy and net zero goals achieved – requires a bolder more comprehensive industrial intervention from government that puts workers front and centre.”