Nissan’s Unwavering Commitment to Electrification

Photo Source: NISSAN

On November 24, 2023, Nissan officially announced its ambitious plan to transform its United Kingdom (UK) manufacturing hub into a 100 percent electric powerhouse, assembling three all-new electric vehicles. This plan, known as the EV36Zero project, involves $4 billion in investments, marking a significant milestone in the global transition to electric vehicles. Nissan’s EV36Zero hub, situated in Sunderland, is set to embrace a carbon-neutral approach. This shift includes the electrification of Nissan’s flagship Qashqai and Juke crossover SUVs, as well as the next-generation Nissan Leaf, a model that played an integral role in kick starting the electric vehicle revolution.

The EV36Zero Microgrid

The driving force behind this electrification will be the EV36Zero Microgrid, powered by solar and wind farms on-site. The microgrid will supply 100 percent renewable electricity to Nissan and its suppliers, underscoring the automaker’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Makoto Uchida, Nissan’s President and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm about the project, declaring, “Exciting electric vehicles are at the heart of our plans to achieve carbon neutrality. With electric versions of our core European models on the way, we are accelerating towards a new era for Nissan, for industry and for our customers.”

This announcement follows Nissan’s pledge to make all its new vehicles in Europe fully electric and have a 100 percent electric passenger car lineup in Europe by 2030. In addition, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hailed Nissan’s investment as a “massive vote of confidence in the UK’s automotive industry.” He continued, “This venture will no doubt secure Sunderland’s future as the UK’s Silicon Valley for electric vehicle innovation and manufacturing.”

Nissan’s Strategy

The manufacturer’s investment includes $1.38 billion in its United Kingdom operations and the wider supply chain for research and development (R&D) and manufacturing of two new electric trims. This investment encompasses facility and manufacturing process improvements, tooling for suppliers, and skills training, building on the $522 million invested in the first phase of EV36Zero. The three new electric vehicles represent the future for all three trims currently built at the Nissan Sunderland Plant. The three vehicles include the following:

• Nissan Qashqai, the United Kingdom’s best-selling car of 2022, and an automobile that represents one in five of all cars assembled in the United Kingdom
• Nissan Juke, the rule-breaking compact crossover, with over one million units sold
• Nissan Leaf, the pioneering electric vehicle, of which more than a quarter of a million units have been built in Sunderland

According to sources, these three future trims will draw inspiration from three all-electric concepts:

• Nissan Hyper Urban Concept, a crossover EV characterized by a sleek and modern aesthetic
• Nissan Hyper Punk Concept, an all-electric compact crossover with an exterior aesthetic defined by multifaceted and polygonal surfaces
• Nissan Chill-Out Concept, unveiled in 2021 and previously confirmed as the inspiration for a future electric vehicle to be built in Sunderland

The UK Government sweetened the deal for Nissan, granting $19 million in funding for a collaborative project led by Nissan, strengthening the zero-emission vehicle research and development capabilities and technical expertise of the Nissan Technical Center (NTCE) in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.

Nissan’s most recent announcement coincides with the confirmation of a new Investment Zone (IZ) for North East England, focusing on Green Industries and Advanced Manufacturing. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of making the United Kingdom a hub for sustainable manufacturing and innovation.

If you would like to support Nissan’s efforts toward Ambition 2030, please come visit Southern Team Nissan of New River Valley. Do not forget we have a trained service team that can help with an online appointment to get started on all maintenance work and repairs. We know what it takes to provide a worthwhile experience. Allow us the pleasure of helping you today.