Sunderland battery factory to provide significant portion of UK's power

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【Summary】Nissan's battery factory in Sunderland will supply over a third of the UK's battery capacity by 2030. The factory, set to open by 2026, will initially have a capacity of 9GWh and can expand up to 35GWh if needed. Nissan plans to launch 27 electrified models globally, including 19 pure EVs, by 2030. The company is also developing solid-state batteries that offer higher energy density and faster charging, with a pilot plant expected next year and production models by 2028.

FutureCar Staff Oct 04, 2023 9:20 AM PT

Sunderland battery factory to provide significant portion of UK's power

Nissan's EV360 battery factory near Sunderland is set to become a major player in the UK's battery production industry. The factory, scheduled to start producing low-cobalt lithium ion batteries by the middle of the decade, has the potential to supply more than a third of the 100GWh battery capacity needed in the UK by 2030.

The new factory, with its first phase occupying a space equivalent to 23 football pitches and towering over the Angel of the North, is expected to open by 2026. It will have an initial battery capacity of 9GWh, which will be sufficient to cater to a new post-Ariya EV that Nissan plans to manufacture in Sunderland.

In the future, Nissan has the capability to expand the EV360 facility and increase battery production to up to 35GWh, depending on demand.

Nissan's commitment to electric vehicles extends beyond the UK. The company has recently announced that all future European Nissan models will be 100% electric. Furthermore, Nissan has global plans to launch 27 electrified models, including 19 pure EVs, by 2030.

In addition to its battery factory, Nissan is also focused on developing its own solid-state battery technology. The company's solid-state batteries, known as ASSB, are expected to double the energy density of existing designs and charge at three times the current rate. This advancement opens up opportunities for smaller and lighter batteries, potentially changing the proportions of future cars.

Nissan aims to have a solid-state battery pilot plant operational by next year and plans to perfect the full-scale manufacturing process by 2026. The company has promised to launch at least one production model that utilizes ASSB batteries somewhere in the world by 2028.