RECAP: How the day unfolded as Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Nissan's Sunderland plant after major £1bn investment

Nissan’s vow to build a new electric model at its Sunderland factory and plans to build a new battery plant beside the facility – creating more than 1,600 jobs in the city – was given the backing of Prime Minister Boris Johnson during a visit to the city.
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The car giant confirmed today, Thursday, July 1, that a new battery manufacturing facility will be created in partnership with Japan-based Envision AESC.

Envision already operates a factory near the Sunderland plant, making batteries for the Nissan Leaf.

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The Sunderland site is expected to open in the next few years, with support from the Government, and create jobs both directly and in Nissan’s supply chain.

SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 1:  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the Nissan Motor Co. plant on July 1, 2021 in Sunderland, England. Nissan announces a huge increase in their battery production business with plans for a gigaplant at Sunderland, bringing thousands of jobs to the North East. The UK Government has committed to phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 which will see an increase in the sales of electric vehicles.  (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 1:  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the Nissan Motor Co. plant on July 1, 2021 in Sunderland, England. Nissan announces a huge increase in their battery production business with plans for a gigaplant at Sunderland, bringing thousands of jobs to the North East. The UK Government has committed to phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 which will see an increase in the sales of electric vehicles.  (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
SUNDERLAND, UNITED KINGDOM - JULY 1: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits the Nissan Motor Co. plant on July 1, 2021 in Sunderland, England. Nissan announces a huge increase in their battery production business with plans for a gigaplant at Sunderland, bringing thousands of jobs to the North East. The UK Government has committed to phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 which will see an increase in the sales of electric vehicles. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Echo reporter Ryan Smith and photographer Stu Norton visited at the plant and were there as the PM took a tour of the site.

Scroll down to see how the day unfolded.

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Live: Nissan announces plans for new battery plant in Sunderland

Key Events

  • Nissan unveils plans to build a huge battery factory, creating more than 1,600 new jobs in Sunderland
  • Site will build batteries for electric vehicles in partnership with Japan-based Envision AESC
  • Jobs will be created at factory and in supply chain.

What is an EV battery and how is one made?

An electric vehicle is powered by Lithium-Ion batteries, which release stored energy on demand when the EV is driven.

Lithium-Ion batteries are made by putting cathode and anode electrodes on top of each other, with separator material in between. 

This is all then encased in a pouch and an electrolyte is injected, which results in a battery cell.

The battery cell goes through an ageing and charging process to become an active battery cell.

Cells are connected together and put in a metal casing, which creates a battery module.

Modules are then connected together in rigid casing and after battery management systems are added, this becomes a battery pack.

The complete pack is fitted into the Electric Vehicle as part of the vehicle assembly process.

Union say Nissan’s announcement of a gigafactory for Sunderland is a fantastic first for the UK - but cannot be the last

Unite has warned that six more battery factories urgently needed just to ‘stay at the races’.

Speaking at the Sunderland plant, Steve Turner said: “Today is a vital step forward in securing a cleaner, greener future for our industry.

“Nissan and this incredible workforce were determined that Sunderland should lead the pack as we transition to electric vehicles and today they have delivered.

“They have battled for years to convince the government to support and invest in UK battery manufacturing, and today’s very welcome announcement will bring much-needed job security to the plant and thousands of new skilled jobs to the region.

“Today is their victory and I am so proud of the role our union, Unite, played in supporting them every step of the way. But this fantastic first must not be the last.

“We need at least another six giga-factories to secure the UK’s future as a green auto manufacturer, with investment in the domestic manufacture of the high value components all urgently needed to successfully transition this industry and consumers away from the combustion engine.”

Nissan is to build a new electric model in Sunderland in ‘massive boost’ to the automotive industry

More than 1,600 jobs will be created in Sunderland and an estimated 4,500 in supply companies under an investment of £1 billion.

More than £420 million will be invested in building a new-generation all-electric vehicle.

The Sunderland-based project announced today represents 6,200 jobs at Nissan and its UK suppliers, including more than 900 new Nissan jobs on the production of the new car and 750 new Envision AESC jobs at its new battery plant.

Nissan confirm there is currently ‘no name’ for new electric vehicle

Little information about the new model has been released, including the name and images of the electric car.

Following the announcement to build the new model, Nissan have confirmed there is currently no name for the car.

Sunderland City Council leads project to deliver a 100% renewable electricity ‘Microgrid’ to save 55,000 tonnes of carbon annually

A first-of-its-kind project, which is estimated to be an £80 million investment, will add to Nissan’s existing wind and solar farms, as initial plans suggest there could be as many as ten solar farms created.

The company anticipate that there will be a 132MW generation with a direct connection to renewable energy from the UK grid for ‘firm’ supply to Nissan and automotive companies located on the adjacent International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP).

Plans also include a 1MW battery storage system using second-life Nissan EV/Envision AESC batteries, which will also allow for excess energy generated during daylight hours to be captured and used at another time, helping to balance demand on the grid.

Additional infrastructure projects enabling the creation of the new EV Hub take the total initial investment above £1bn.

Nissan’s microgrid aims to deliver a 100% renewable electricity power source

Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said he was enormously proud of the work of the council, and the role it has played, including in shaping the plans for the Microgrid, which will help make Nissan 36Zero possible.

He said: “We have worked tirelessly, in lockstep with Nissan, Envision Group and UK Government to ensure that Sunderland landed this transformational project that will deliver jobs and prosperity for our residents.

“The Microgrid infrastructure is a key enabler of this game-changing project and, through this, we are helping to create the conditions for Nissan, Envision AESC and indeed the wider manufacturing cluster in the area to thrive.

“We have a long track record of partnership working with businesses in the city and this is just that… a demonstration of our commitment to the success of our manufacturing sector, and to our people – for whom this investment will create jobs and opportunities.

“Put simply, these will be green jobs, utilising green energy to create green products – the perfect blend for a city focused not only on economic growth, but also on putting in place the foundations of a cleaner healthier future for our children and young people.

“And it is the next generation that we do this great work for. Inspiring them about careers at Nissan, Envision AESC and in the associated supply chain is something we will work closely with both companies to achieve as this exciting EV hub takes shape.”

Confederation of British Industry North East director says Nissan’s investment is “a strong vote of confidence in a greener future"

CBI North East director Sarah Glendinning said: “Nissan’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in a greener future for the UK economy.

“This announcement signals the success of concerted efforts between business and Government to seize the moment by creating jobs fuelled by decarbonisation efforts.

“And it must be the spark for six more gigafactories needed by 2040 to support a thriving electric vehicle market and prompt investment in widespread charging infrastructure.”

Founder and CEO of Envision Group says the investment is ‘a milestone in the green industrial revolution’

Sunderland University hail Nissan’s announcement as “tremendous news”

Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland Sir David Bell has reacted to today’s news of a major expansion in electric vehicle production at the city’s Nissan plant.

He said: “For everyone who lives, works or studies in the city, this is tremendous news. As with so much else in recent times, it demonstrates that Sunderland can combine great ambition with an ability to deliver major projects for the good of all.”

The announcement represents the biggest job-creating project Sunderland has seen since Nissan arrived in the city more than 30 years ago.

The company say there will be three interconnected initiatives bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production, which Nissan said sets a blueprint for the future of the automotive industry.

As part of the renewable energy initiative, plans suggest there could be as many as ten solar farms created.

The leader of Sunderland City Council said the project was also a key staple in the local authority’s commitment to carbon neutrality, and to the use of technology to enable economic success.

“We have set ambitious targets for carbon neutrality, because we are focused on being the best in class, here in Sunderland. This is an important part of that commitment.

“And it sends a message far and wide – that Sunderland is helping to underpin a project that will revolutionise the way people travel in the future – that we are absolutely focused on a more sustainable future, working with Nissan and Envision Group to achieve that.

“We are enormously proud to be playing our part in this world-leading partnership, the product of months of hard work that will deliver many years of benefit for Sunderland and its people.”