Nissan has begun production of the third-generation LEAF at its Sunderland plant in the UK, marking a major milestone in the automaker’s EV36Zero strategy and a £450 million investment across its British operations and supply chain.
The new LEAF, built in the UK for the first time since the model’s original launch more than a decade ago, is central to Nissan’s EV36Zero vision, which integrates electric vehicle manufacturing, battery production and renewable energy. The Sunderland facility has been upgraded to enable electric vehicle production on Line Two for the first time.
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“Today is a momentous occasion as we begin production of the third generation Nissan LEAF in the UK, the electric vehicle that started it all,” said Massimiliano Messina, chairperson for Nissan’s Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania region. He said the model reflects Nissan’s next phase of electrification and technological development.
To support production, Nissan has undertaken a significant transformation of the Sunderland plant, including the installation of new press dies, high-precision robotics, automated battery installation technology and expanded digital manufacturing systems. The upgrade also included more than 360,000 hours of workforce training across the plant’s 6,000 employees.
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The start of production coincides with the development of a new battery gigafactory operated by AESC near the Sunderland site. The facility will supply next-generation batteries with higher energy density for the new LEAF, supporting improved range and performance.
The first vehicle off the production line was a two-tone Luminous Teal LEAF Evolve equipped with a 75 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 622 km under the WLTP standard. The model supports 150 kW DC fast charging, enabling up to 420 km of range to be added in around 30 minutes. The vehicle also features Google built-in services, advanced driver assistance systems and a fully digital cockpit.
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LEAF has been produced in Sunderland since 2013, with more than 280,000 units manufactured at the plant to date. Nissan said the Sunderland facility will also begin production of a fully electric version of the Nissan JUKE next year, alongside hybrid and internal combustion models.
Nissan employs around 6,000 people at the Sunderland plant and about 7,000 across its UK operations, with an estimated 30,000 additional jobs supported through its wider supply chain.
