RECAP: How the day unfolded as Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Nissan's Sunderland plant after major £1bn investment
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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Hide AdThe 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.
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.
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.”
Nissan’s announcement described as “a revolutionary move”
Philip Wall, Managing Director of fleet insurance Fleetcover said:“It’s brilliant to hear the news about Nissan’s new electric car and battery plant - this is a revolutionary move that will certainly help the UK towards its goal to stop producing new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030.“
“In our own study conducted in April using data from the DVLA, we found that unfortunately many towns across the UK have still got a long way to go before fully embracing the electric revolution - the towns with the lowest percentage of electric and hybrid vehicles are largely across Northern Ireland and Wales.
“The news about Nissan and other such schemes in other cities in the future should escalate electric vehicle ownership in due course, as would investment in more electric charging infrastructure across the country.”
Look around Nissan’s Envision battery plant for Leaf model in Sunderland
Our reporter Ryan caught a glimpse of Nissan’s existing battery plant.
We take a look inside an existing Nissan factory
Look inside the Envision factory making batteries for the Nissan Leaf as new plant announced for Wearside
As car giant Nissan announces a new battery plant will be build at its Sunderland facility, we take a look inside an existing factory nearby.
Boris Johnson due to speak at Sunderland’s Nissan plant
The Prime Minister is due speak at the Sunderland plant shortly.
Mr Johnson previously said: “Nissan’s announcement to build its new-generation all-electric vehicle in Sunderland, alongside a new gigafactory from Envision-AESC, is a major vote of confidence in the UK and our highly-skilled workers in the North East.
“Building on over 30 years of history in the area, this is a pivotal moment in our electric vehicle revolution and securing its future for decades to come.
“Commitments like these exemplify our ability to create hundreds of green jobs and boost British industry, whilst also allowing people to travel in an affordable and sustainable way so we can eliminate our contributions to climate change.”
Nissan started production in Sunderland 35 years ago
Nissan started production in Sunderland in July 1986.
Current production in Sunderland includes the Nissan Qashqai, Juke and LEAF, most of which (70%) are exported to mainland Europe, with 20% sold in the UK and a further 10% exported to markets than span the globe, from South America to Australia, and from the Nordics to South Africa.
The new £1 billion Nissan EV36Zero development heralds the next phase of Nissan electrification plan and its UK operations.
Nissan’s announcement will have a “positive knock-on impact across the whole of the manufacturing sector"
Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “The Northern Powerhouse has the assets, skills and expertise to build a flourishing electric vehicle industry in places such as Blyth and Sunderland, and this would have a positive knock-on impact across the whole of the manufacturing sector.
“There are massive economic opportunities for the taking in the green energy transition.
“I would like to thank the Nissan team on Wearside for their efforts to successfully make the case for investment and all those who have assisted them.”
Nissan Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta unveiled plans for Nissan’s new model and battery plant
Nissan’s local supplier hails their announcement as a “pivotal moment”
Nic Smith, managing director of Commercial Maintenance Services UK Ltd (CMS), has worked with Nissan for decades
Gateshead-headquartered CMS, installs, maintains, and repairs heating, electrical and plumbing systems at their Sunderland plant – a contract that has earned it £1m over the past three years.
Nic Smith said: “We are just one example of the extensive supply chain here in the North East that supports Nissan and of the wider economic benefits that flow from its factory into the local economy.
“The announcement that it is creating a £1bn battery plant as well as launching a new electric vehicle model not only ensures that the UK is positioned as a leader in EV technology but represents a pivotal moment in the revival of the North East’s economic fortunes.
“Nissan will create thousands of jobs both directly and in the supply chain. This is a tremendous vote of confidence in the strength, capability, and ingenuity of that supply chain, and will resonate throughout the region.
“Our engineers visit Nissan on a regular basis to ensure its business-critical systems are operating correctly, which is crucial to ensure its cars continue rolling off the production line.
“We are proud of our long-term association with Nissan as a trusted supplier and hope that this latest announcement will strengthen this link and allow us to grow the business further.”
Sunderland City Council leader Graeme Miller has spoken of his pride at the key enabling role the organisation has played in securing the investment
Sunderland council leader says Nissan's £1bn investment will 'secure the workforce for decades'
Political leaders say Sunderland and the entire North East will get an economic boost from one of the most significant investments in the city in decades.
Boris Johnson visits Sunderland’s Nissan plant
Boris Johnson has conceded he is still largely driven in vehicles running on hydrocarbons when asked if he has an electric car.
During a visit to the Nissan plant in Sunderland, the Prime Minister said: “I, at the moment, am driven in a variety of machines most of which are still run on hydrocarbons but I can tell you we will be phasing it out as soon as we conveniently and economically can.
“There are ongoing discussions about ways we can support people who are going to bring fantastic green technology into this country.
“Obviously they’re confidential but this is something that is a massive benefit to the UK economy.”
The £1 billion project is “a reward for the dedicated workers in the North East of England” says business leader
Lei Zhang, founder of the Envision AESC group which already makes electric batteries in Sunderland, saw parallels with the region’s coal and shipbuilding industrial history, with thousands of new jobs also being created in energy and transportation.
He said that history, with the region’s dedicated and skilled workforce, was a “really good launchpad” for a green industrial revolution.
Mr Zhang said: “North East wind farms have abundant resources, they are able to power this region and could make it the first net zero region in the UK, and could be for Europe.
“You have the DNA, the memory of the first industrial revolution which is a great asset when you are making wind turbines, gear boxes, generators, electric vehicle batteries, cars.
“You need a sophisticated, well-trained, disciplined, serious work force.
“You have the people here, you have the determination here.”
Nissan’s plan for a new battery plant in the UK showed the car giant was taking advantage of the opportunities offered by Brexit
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Thanks to Brexit I think Nissan is moving forward to use Brexit as an opportunity.
“Nissan’s announcement today is a major vote of confidence in the UK and our highly-skilled workers in the North East. It is a pivotal moment in our electric vehicle revolution securing its future for decades to come.”
The spokesman said that details of UK taxpayer support for the project will be made public once due diligence on the project was complete.
“We will review our support as the project develops and due diligence takes place. Then it is the standard practice after this details of the award will be in the public domain which is a normal procedure and part of the process of transparency,” the spokesman said.
Boris Johnson says level of public money the Government used to support Nissan is “confidential”
Mr Johnson has said the level of public money the Government has used to support Nissan building a new electric model and huge battery plant in the UK is “confidential”.
During a visit to the plant in Sunderland, the Prime Minister told reporters: “There are ongoing discussions about ways we can support people who are going to bring fantastic green technology into this country.
“Obviously they’re confidential but this is something that is a massive benefit to the UK economy.”