A New Electric Era Begins: Nissan Kicks Off Third-Generation Leaf Production in the UK
A true pioneer of the electric vehicle revolution has just rolled into its next chapter. Nissan has officially started production of the third generation of its groundbreaking Leaf model at the company’s massive Sunderland plant in the UK. This isn’t just a new car hitting the assembly line; it’s the realization of a major investment and the launch of a vehicle that is a crucial piece of Britain’s automotive future.
The new Leaf is an electric crossover, moving away from the hatchback profile of its predecessors with a smart, sleek, and aerodynamic design that takes cues from the company’s Chill-Out concept car. More than just a fresh look, the vehicle offers a significant upgrade in performance. Consumers can choose between a 52kWh and a top-tier 75kWh battery pack, with the latter boasting an impressive range of up to 386 miles on a single charge. It also supports 150kW DC fast charging, which means you could add hundreds of miles of range in about half an hour.
For the North East of England, this production launch represents a major vote of confidence. Nissan invested a staggering £450 million into the Sunderland facility and its supply chain to prepare for this moment. This massive capital outlay transformed the plant, enabling electric vehicle manufacturing on a second production line for the first time. The upgrades include everything from 78 new high-tech robots and 137 new press dies to an arsenal of 475 automated guided vehicles to ferry parts around the factory.
This investment helps secure the future for the 6,000-strong workforce in Sunderland, who also underwent more than 360,000 hours of training to master the build of the new car. It also provides a significant boost to the estimated 30,000 jobs in the wider UK supply chain.
The manufacturing process is at the heart of what Nissan calls its ‘EV36Zero’ vision, a plan to create a fully integrated, zero-emission vehicle manufacturing hub. A core component of this vision is a brand-new battery gigafactory built by AESC right next door to the Sunderland plant. This facility will supply next-generation battery technology for the new Leaf, increasing energy density for superior range and performance, and anchoring a resilient EV supply chain for the UK.
Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson of Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania), called the event a “momentous occasion,” noting that the new Leaf “brings to life our world first EV36Zero vision, which combines EV manufacturing, battery production and renewable energy.”
With prices starting from £32,249 and the vehicle qualifying for the government’s full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, the British-built Leaf is perfectly positioned to capture the attention of a new generation of electric car buyers. This new model will soon be followed by fully electric versions of the popular Qashqai and Juke crossovers, further cementing Sunderland’s role as the beating heart of Britain’s electric automotive industry.
