LONDON – Three years after starting the manufacture of electric vehicles and batteries in Europe, Nissan reached the milestone of producing 50 thousand units of its zero emissions vehicle LEAF on that continent.
Produced at Nissan badge plant in Sunderland, UK, this is the first time a European automaker produced 50,000 electric vehicles and their batteries, reaffirming Nissan’s leadership in technologies to develop zero emission vehicles.
Nissan LEAF units produced in Europe are exported to 23 countries worldwide, including Argentina, Iceland, Israel and Taiwan and the region of Western Europe.
Nissan started production of Nissan LEAF and its batteries in 2013 in the UK, with the support of Prime Minister David Cameron. Derived from this, approximately 2,000 direct and indirect jobs are created – through proveeduría – Nissan UK.
“What Nissan currently does in technology for electric vehicles, is more advanced than any other automaker,” said Paul Willcox, director of Nissan Europe.
“Reaching this milestone is very significant for Nissan and our Sunderland team. No other brand has the experience and knowledge in the production of electric vehicles and their batteries production,” said Willcox.
“We are very pleased that 50 thousand customers in Europe share our vision for a zero emissions future,” concluded the manager.
Five years ago, Nissan LEAF was the first electric vehicle to be sold, and to date remains the best-selling vehicle, with almost 220 thousand units worldwide.
After the start of production of Nissan LEAF in Europe in 2013, Japanese brand launched in 2014 a second electric vehicle on the continent, they are multipurpose e-NV200, produced at the Nissan Barcelona plant in Spain.
Currently, Nissan is the first automaker to go beyond electric vehicles, as is developing technologies capable of converting the LEAF in a charging station for later use energy stored either at home or in the workplace.
“This milestone represents great news for Nissan, and is itself an example of how UK is a leader in the development of cleaner technologies, which besides being positive for the environment, generate growth and jobs. Our goal is that by 2050 almost all vehicles are zero emissions, “said Andrew Jones, Minister of Transport in the UK.
The Nissan LEAF sold in Mexico is produced, as its batteries, the company plant in Smyrna, United States.
