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Nissan Motor Co. said today that it will build the new Leaf electric vehicle at Britain's Sunderland assembly plant starting in early 2013, with initial capacity of 50,000 vehicles a year.


The Japanese company and its French alliance partner Renault will invest about $642.6 million in the project, including the construction of a lithium-ion battery plant on the site.


Sunderland will be the third global production site for the five-seat Leaf hatchback, which is the centerpiece of Nissan's plans to take the lead in zero-emissions vehicles.


Production begins in Oppama, Japan, later this year followed by Smyrna, Tennessee, in the United States, in 2012.


Initial sales of the Leaf begin this year in Japan, the U.S. and selected European markets. Nissan aims for global mass marketing from 2012.


So far, Nissan and Renault have announced global electric vehicle production capacity of 500,000 vehicles. Renault begins rolling out its electric cars next year.


Nissan will start preparing Sunderland's Number 2 line in 2012 for the addition of the Leaf. It will be made alongside the Juke compact crossover, which enters production this August.


Sunderland will also get a battery manufacturing plant with capacity of 60,000 units a year. It enters operation in 2012 and will supply both Nissan and Renault electric vehicles.
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Tags: Batteries, Emissions, Fuel Economy, Nissan, Plug-ins and Electric, Renault, Lithium Battery, Nissan Leaf Pricing, Nissan Leaf Production, Plug-in Electric Car, Renault, Sunderland Plant, U.K. Plant, Zero-Emissions Vehicle

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Nissan to Build Leaf in U.K., in Addition to Japan and U.S.; Start Date Is Set for 2013 was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.