Nissan are going to be manufacturing their new electric car - The Leaf - in Sunderland, UK starting 2013. They plan on making 200,000 worldwide annually. More details here.
The car is a 5 seater hatchback and they go on sale here in the UK at the end of 2010 (Shipped in from Japan or the U.S. presumably, their other plants). They claim that it will be the first affordable, mass produced electric car in the world.
Early buyers in this country will be able to make use of the government's subsidy that they will make available from the beginning of 2011 for all electric vehicles (EVs) and plug in hybrids. The subsidy is 25% of the price of the EV up to £5000.
In my view, Nissan's entry into the affordable end of the market is essential to get the EV ball rolling. It's a name people know and trust, they have showrooms all over the country, and they've designed something that looks as good as any standard petrol car.
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