Nissan supplies Leafs for new Sunderland transport hub

Nissan has supplied 10 Nissan Leafs to launch Sunderland City Council’s mobility hub project, which aims to promote more sustainable travel in the area.

The vehicles will create a zero-emission pool fleet for council business use while 20 e-bikes will also be made available to staff.

The mobility hub ties in with the council’s aspirations to become carbon-neutral by 2040, with the aim to make environmentally friendly pool cars available to the public, Nissan said.

Noel Critchley, corporate sales manager at Nissan Motor (GB), said: “With a range of up to 239 miles on a single charge, plus running and maintenance costs that are a fraction of a conventional petrol or diesel car, the Nissan Leaf is a great option for anyone looking to switch to electric motoring and cut their carbon footprint.

‘‘We are delighted to be working with Sunderland council on this exciting project and look forward to continuing our partnership in the years ahead.”

The cars are being supplied to the council by Evans Halshaw Nissan Sunderland in Wessington Way.

Neil Milnthorp, head of business at the dealership, said: “We are delighted to be supplying these ten electric Leafs to Sunderland council, in support of its efforts to create a zero-emission transport hub in our great city.

“This is a progressive transport initiative for Sunderland, and we look forward to supporting the council further in the transition to a low-carbon future, as well as assisting with any vehicle servicing and maintenance requirements they may have.”

The purchase of the cars coincides with the tenth anniversary of the start of Leaf production at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, and has been supported by the Government’s Getting Building Fund, it said.

Councillor Claire Rowntree, deputy leader of Sunderland city council, said: ‘‘Initiatives like this one will put us right at the cutting edge in taking proactive steps to minimise our carbon footprint. We’re looking forward to testing the concept with these stunning Nissan cars that we’re very proud were made in Sunderland. 

“It’s a fitting start to the mobility hub, which we hope will be a successful new asset that – eventually – the whole city will be able to make use of.”

Nissan said it is expected the mobility hub will benefit 10,000 people set to work at Riverside Sunderland, as well as 2,500 residents who will live there when the site is fully developed.

Sunderland City Council is planning to relocate to the area.

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