Nissan will build a new electric model and a battery gigafactory in the UK with the aim of massively increasing employment in the automotive industry.
More than 1,600 jobs will be created in Sunderland and around 4,500 in supply companies as part of a £ 1 billion investment – an announcement welcomed by government and unions.
More than £ 420million will be invested in building a next-generation all-electric vehicle, and Nissan has said its electric vehicle (EV) hub will be the world’s premier electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem.
The Japanese auto giant will partner with Envision AESC, a global battery technology company, and Sunderland City Council.
There will be three interconnected initiatives bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production, which Nissan says sets a blueprint for the future of the auto industry.
Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida said, “This project is part of Nissan’s pioneering efforts to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the lifecycle of our products.
Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta speaks to media in Sunderland after announcing the Japanese auto giant’s new venture
(Owen Humphreys / AP)
“Our holistic approach includes not only the development and production of electric vehicles, but also the use of on-board batteries as energy storage and their reuse for secondary purposes.
“Our announcement today follows long discussions held within our teams, and will considerably accelerate our efforts in Europe to achieve carbon neutrality. The experience and know-how gained through the project announced today will be shared globally, improving Nissan’s global competitiveness.
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, called the announcement a “pivotal moment”.
He said: “Nissan’s announcement to build its next-generation all-electric vehicle in Sunderland, alongside a new Envision AESC gigafactory, is a major vote of confidence in the UK and our highly skilled workers. in the northeast.
“Building on more than 30 years of history in the region, this is a pivotal moment in our electric vehicle revolution and securing its future for decades to come.
“Commitments like these illustrate our ability to create hundreds of green jobs and boost UK industry, while enabling people to travel affordably and sustainably so we can eliminate our contributions to climate change.”
Nissan plant workers listen to the company’s announcement at a press conference at the Sunderland plant
(Phil Noble / Reuters)
Unveiling the Nissan EV36Zero at the Sunderland plant today, Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta said: “This is a milestone day for Nissan, our partners, the UK. and the automotive industry as a whole.
“Nissan EV36Zero will transform the idea of what is possible for our industry and establish a roadmap for the future for all.
“We’ve crossed a new frontier with the Nissan Leaf, the world’s first all-electric consumer vehicle. Now, along with our partners, Nissan will pioneer the next phase of the automotive industry as we accelerate towards full electrification and carbon neutrality. “
Responding to the announcement, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said it was a “huge deal” for the Sunderland-based company for 35 years.
While the cabinet minister suggested that a significant sum of financial support had been committed by the government to Nissan, he declined to give a figure citing trade sensitivities.
“You will know that we are in talks with a lot of car manufacturers, there are a lot of companies looking to invest in the UK, and it would be totally irresponsible of me to address commercially sensitive issues,” he said. he told the BBC. Radio 4 Today program.
Asked if he could confirm that the sum is significant, he replied, “It’s no secret that governments around the world are looking to attract what is a once-in-a-generation opportunity.
“So it’s widely understood, and the UK government has been involved in conversations like this. We promised some support, but the £ 1bn [Nissan are] giving far exceeds, and far exceeds, the amount of support we have provided. “
Mr Kwarteng also insisted Britain can meet a target of 2.3 million new charging points for electric vehicles by 2030, as the government seeks to ban the sale of new diesel cars. and gasoline by the end of the decade.
“We need to exponentially increase the number of charging points and we are committed to doing this £ 1.3 billion,” he said. “If you look at things like winning off the coast, which I’m responsible for, there’s a huge increase in capacity. I think the way economies can transform is remarkable and I think nine years to achieve these goals is enough. “
His counterpart and shadow business secretary, Ed Miliband, described the plans to build the new gigafactory in Sunderland as a “welcome announcement.”
“But ministers cannot be complacent”, he …
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Source: www.independent.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-01 14:01:28
