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4,500 jobs safe with electrifying Nissan deal
Nissan is set to make its Wearside plant the biggest electric car factory in Europe - securing thousands of jobs.
The Echo understands a high-ranking Minister is set to visit Sunderland within the next week for an official announcement.
The Japanese car giant is believed to have chosen Sunderland as its main European base to manufacture electric vehicles - making it the pioneer of the Government's aim to make Britain "the electric car capital of Europe."
The choice of Wearside as the lead centre would mean the factory scoops the majority of a 380million green car loan from the European Investment Bank - a massive boost and vote of confidence for the workforce and the supply industry.
Demand for electric cars is predicted to soar and as consumers switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles.
It is thought that Prime Minister Gordon Brown played a personal role in helping the UK beat off other countries where Nissan operates.
No official announcement has been made, but Peter Mandelson this week said he was "hopeful" that Nissan will choose its Washington plant to build electric cars.
The Business Secretary added: "Ever since I went to Nissan in Sunderland earlier this year I have been working very closely, very hard with the company to make sure that they decide in Britain's favour to place their investment in our country and in the North East.
"We have to invest in electric vehicles, electric batteries and those are going to be the source of demand, production and jobs in the future.
"And that is why we are working very hard to secure that investment in Britain."
Plans to install charging points for electric vehicles at shopping centres across the region are pressing ahead.
More than 750 stations will open over the next two years as part of regional development agency One North East's 30million plan to make the North East the base for the UK's car industry.
Nissan declined to comment. However, the manufacturer is keen to play a leading role in the drive towards greener transport technology.
Earlier this month, Wearside plant boss Trevor Mann said: "Undoubtedly, the most important trend in urban transport within the next decade will be the shift towards low-carbon.
"There is an increasing desire from the public for environmentally-neutral transport, linked with big improvements in available technology and an increasing urban population.
"All these aspects are combining to create the right environment and demand for a revolution in sustainable transport, which Nissan is aiming to spearhead through the mass marketing of zero-emission electric vehicles from 2012."
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 09 February 2012
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