£50m funding boost for future of EVs in region

THE North East has secured £50m to help companies in the automotive sector create jobs linked to the electric vehicle (EV) revolution.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD Journal editor [e-mail]

The Electric Vehicle Cluster Fund - which has been announced as Nissan started production of its new electric Leaf vehicle in Sunderland - aims to help companies transition to the production of parts for electric vehicles, protecting and creating jobs in the region.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness has also announced £22m of funding to install EV charging points, and plans to double the region's electric bus fleet over the next six months.

Start of production on the new model Leaf is believed to be the first new high-volume car to be built in the UK since 2020. Ms McGuinness said: "The start of production for the new Nissan Leaf is a landmark day for our car industry, but it also comes at a turning point for EV in the North East, which we are backing with £50m of new investment.