► Nissan has built its 50,000th Leaf in UK
► Sunderland builds milestone EV
► Leaf continues as best-selling electric car
Nissan has passed a silent but significant milestone this week, as the 50,000th Leaf electric car whirred noiselessly down the Sunderland production line.
It’s the first time any European car maker has built that many EVs and their batteries in one place. Nissan starting making the Leaf at its manufacturing facility in the north-east of England in 2013, supporting 2000 jobs directly and through the local supply chain.
It confirmed a further £27 million investment this year to ensure battery production stays at the site.
The UK’s best electric cars and EVs
The 50,000th UK-built Nissan Leaf
The car in question was a left-hand drive Tekna model destined for a customer in France. Sunderland exports electric cars to 23 countries – as far flung as Argentina and Taiwan.
Paul Willcox, the chairman of Nissan Europe, said: ‘This milestone is another first for Nissan and for our team in Sunderland. No other brand has Nissan’s experience or expertise in both battery and vehicle production, and I’m thrilled that over 50,000 customers in Europe share our vision for a zero-emission future.’
After five years on sale, the Nissan Leaf has become the best-selling EV of all time, with nearly 220,000 sold globally.
Click here for our review of the latest 2016 extended-range Nissan Leaf
