Nissan to build UK's first mass market electric car

Date: 18/3/2010

Nissan has revealed it is to build the UK's first mass market electric car, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has confirmed.

Business secretary Lord Mandelson welcomed the news that the electric car, called the Leaf, will be produced in Sunderland.

A total of £20.7 million has been committed by the government to help in the production of the car and the new battery plant.

The sum is to support total investment by Nissan of over £420 million in its UK operations.

A total of 50,000 vehicles and 60,000 batteries are to be made at the plant every year under Nissan's plans.

It is hoped this will create at least 550 skilled jobs at the plant.

The government is also to support Ford's £1.5 billion investment into making a new generation of environmentally-friendly engines.