3 min read - 16 Dec, 2025
Nissan begins production of latest LEAF at Sunderland plant
The third-generation Nissan LEAF is gliding silently off a transformed Sunderland production line as the company brings to life its EV36Zero plan.
Building the new LEAF in the UK represents an investment of £450m by Nissan across its operations and supply chain, and marks the return of the car that pioneered mass EV production more than a decade ago. To launch its most advanced vehicle yet, Nissan has transformed its site in Sunderland, enabling EV manufacturing on production line two for the first time.
The LEAF has been built in Sunderland since 2013, with 282,704 manufactured in total at the plant. The first of the new LEAFs off the line was a two-tone Luminous Teal Evolve grade equipped with a 75kw battery, which offers a range of up to 386 miles (WLTP). The new LEAF also supports 150kW DC fast charging, adding up to 273 miles in just 30 minutes.
Nissan has started production of the third-generation LEAF at its Sunderland plant following a £450m investment / Picture: Nissan GB
The team at Sunderland will follow the LEAF with a new all-electric Nissan JUKE next year, with both models built on the plant’s production line two. It means that Nissan Sunderland now produces vehicles from fully electric to hybrid, including Nissan’s e‑POWER technology on Qashqai and JUKE HEV, as well as ICE.
Sunderland plant investments at a glance
To support production of LEAF in Sunderland, the plant’s transformation has included:
• Adoption of factory of the future technology, including intelligent use of big data, virtual reality and digital mapping of the plant.
• 137 new press dies (the giant moulds that are used to press LEAF’s 42 different body panels) in the press and plastics shop.
• 78 new high-tech robots in the body shop, including a fully automated laser welding facility, delivering precision to 0.3mm, to craft LEAF’s seamless roof.
• New colour palettes in the paint shop to give LEAF its vibrant new Sukumo Blue and Luminous Teal colours.
• An automated battery marriage facility, which brings the battery into the car, applying 26 bolts in 56 seconds.
• 475 new automated guided vehicles to deliver parts directly to the production line.
• More than 360,000 hours of training across its 6,000-strong team.
More than 6,000 people are employed at the Sunderland plant, with Nissan supporting an estimated 30,000 jobs in its wider UK supply chain / Picture: Nissan GB
Built in Sunderland, engineers at Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, played a defining role in shaping the design, technology, and driving character of the all-new Nissan LEAF, with the majority of their innovations carried through to UK, Japanese and US models.
Nissan supports 6,000 jobs in Sunderland and 7,000 in total across its UK operations, including NTCE and its Design Centre in Paddington, London. The company also supports an estimated 30,000 jobs in its wider UK supply chain.
Adam Pennick, vice president, manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland, said: “Nissan has invested in our state-of-the-art plant to build the EVs of the future and there is huge pride and excitement in our team to be building this brilliant car in Sunderland. The skills, expertise and teamwork of our people have powered Sunderland’s success, and the transformation of our plant for new LEAF demonstrates our leadership in the journey to electrification.”
Massimiliano Messina, chairperson for Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO), added: “Today is a momentous occasion as we begin production of the third-generation Nissan LEAF in the UK, the electric vehicle that started it all. Smart, sleek and aerodynamic, the all-new LEAF captures the energy of a new generation as a car that redefines what’s possible and sets the stage for Nissan’s next chapter. LEAF brings to life our world-first EV36Zero vision, which combines EV manufacturing, battery production and renewable energy.”
The investment at Sunderland has enabled EVs to be produced on production line two for the first time – the new all-electric Nissan JUKE will follow on the same line next year / Picture: Nissan GB
The landscape around the plant has also been transformed with a new AESC gigafactory adjacent to the plant. AESC will supply next-generation battery technology with increased energy density to deliver superior range and performance for the new LEAF.
Jim Marley, plant director, AESC UK, said: “The launch of our new UK electric vehicle battery gigafactory represents a significant leap in battery technology. It will power the new Nissan LEAF and drive the electrification of the British car industry to a new level. This gigafactory will anchor a resilient, globally competitive EV supply chain for the UK.”
