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

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.”

Our reporter Ryan caught a glimpse of Nissan’s existing battery 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 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.

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.”

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.”