Nissan has unveiled the third-generation Leaf, its flagship electric vehicle, confirming that the car will be built at its Sunderland plant in the UK. The announcement signals a major investment in sustainable, UK-based EV production and marks a significant milestone for the Japanese automaker’s EV36Zero strategy.
The new Leaf will offer an extended range of up to 375 miles (604km) on a single charge and will be powered by batteries produced by AESC UK, a longtime Nissan partner with a facility located next to the Sunderland assembly plant. Customer orders for the upgraded EV are expected to open later this year.
“It’s with immense pride that we unveil the third generation of our pioneering electric Leaf, 12 years after we brought EV and battery manufacturing to the UK,” said Alan Johnson, senior vice president of manufacturing and supply chain management at Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK. “It’s a testament to the skill of our world-class team that we can bring into mass production a vehicle with such advanced technology and aerodynamic design.”
The new model is the first to be launched under Nissan’s £1 billion EV36Zero initiative, which integrates electric vehicle production, battery manufacturing, and renewable energy use into a single, sustainable ecosystem. The Sunderland factory, which also produces the Juke and Qashqai models, has been at the heart of Nissan’s UK operations since it opened nearly 40 years ago. It began manufacturing the Leaf in 2013, making it the first mass-market electric car built in Britain.
James Taylor, managing director of Nissan GB, said the new model reinforces the Leaf’s legacy as a game-changer in electric motoring. “Leaf is a pioneering electric vehicle that has encouraged thousands to make the switch — and best of all, it’s built here in Britain,” he said.
The vehicle is expected to feature a bold new design, improved aerodynamics, and enhanced connectivity features, with full specifications to be revealed later this year.
Nissan’s commitment to UK manufacturing comes as the automotive sector faces increasing pressure to scale up electric vehicle production ahead of the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. The company’s continued investment, including a second AESC battery plant in Sunderland, is widely viewed as a vote of confidence in Britain’s ability to lead in the global EV transition.
As competition intensifies across the global auto market, the success of the third-generation Leaf and the EV36Zero programme could play a pivotal role in securing the UK’s position in the electric vehicle revolution.
