Nissan Ramps Up Assembly of Next-Generation Leaf EV
Nissan is assembling the third-generation Leaf electric vehicle at its plant in Sunderland, England. Photo courtesy Nissan Motor Co.
SUNDERLAND, England—Nissan is assembling the third-generation Leaf electric vehicle at its factory here. The return of the car that pioneered mass EV production more than a decade ago is part of the automaker’s EV36Zero plan, which combines EV manufacturing, battery production and renewable energy.
The new Leaf features a 75-kilowatt battery that provides a range of up to 386 miles. It also supports 150kW DC fast charging, adding up to 273 miles in just 30 minutes. Batteries are supplied by a new AESC gigafactory that is strategically located next to the Nissan factory.
“There is huge pride and excitement in our team to be building this brilliant car,” says Adam Pennick, vice president of manufacturing at Nissan Sunderland. “The skills, expertise and teamwork of our people have powered [our] success, and the transformation of our plant for the new Leaf demonstrates our leadership in the journey to electrification.”
According to Pennick, the plant’s transformation has included adoption of factory of the future technology, including intelligent use of big data, virtual reality and digital mapping; 78 new robots in the body shop, including a fully automated laser welding facility that delivers precision to 0.3 millimeter to craft Leaf’s seamless roof; a state-of-the-art battery marriage facility in the trim and chassis department that installs 26 bolts in 56 seconds; and 475 new automated guided vehicles that deliver parts directly to the Leaf assembly line.
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