A huge new electric vehicle battery gigafactory development in Sunderland is to be announced this week by Japanese carmaker Nissan, according to widespread reports today.
The carmaker might also announce a new electric model to be produced alongside the Leaf, which is already made at the company’s factory in the city.
Reports circulated in May that Nissan wanted to make the UK the hub of its electric vehicle operation in Europe with a new gigafactory to be built on its site in Sunderland.
At the time, Nissan did not confirm the story, but did not deny it either stating that it is continuing with plans to electrify its range.
According to today’s reports, the new plant will receive hundreds of millions of pounds of investment from the UK government with the intention for it to be in production by 2024.
The government is also in talks with Vauxhall over a new electric vehicle production at Ellesmere Port, its plant near Liverpool, the BBC said today.
Speculation has also been rife that Tesla has looked at the UK as a possible site for European Gigafactory.
The electric car group had reported as looking at sites in Somerset, though this was never confirmed.
BritishVolt is also planning for a gigafactory on the site of the former Blyth power station.