Nissan Factory: Sunderland

Key facts:

Production beginning date: 1986

Number of employees: 6,000

Number of jobs created in the UK: 24,000

Number of apprentices trained: 1,000

Number of cars produced in a year: 500,000

Models produced at the plant: Leaf, Note and Juke

Investment in LEAF and battery manufacturing: 420 million pounds

Amount of energy created by wind turbines: 7% of energy needs

Number of wind turbines: 10

Number of children visiting for education: 1500 a year

How does this make Nissan more sustainable?

Its clear from the statics given that Nissan is far more sustainable then before hand. The overall idea that they are creating 7% of there own energy needs from there own wind turbines shows how there carbon footprint is decreasing. To further this decrease they also wanted to implement this into there users and the design for the LEAF was born. This all electric car is a step in the direction to push there users to have electric cars. To aid the industry they are also investing 420 million pounds in battery manufacturing as this is on aspect that both users and developers are uncertain about. Finally, there influence on the next generation with both apprenticeships and direct influence on 1500 children a year shows how Nissan aim to spread there knowledge on this sustainable direction.

Aspects of the LEAF:

The Nissan LEAF has many user centered features with sustainability infused in the design. The overall zero emission car actually produces energy when it is moving, producing more when it is 'gliding' or no acceleration. It comes with fast charging too as it contains a 6.6 kilowatt charger. Overall the sustainable car is aimed towards the mass market, as every sustainable car should be.