Nissan Hits 100,000 UK Electric Vehicle Sales in 15 Years

Ron and Gillian Ainsworth had no idea they were making history when they picked up their new electric car in Chorley, Lancashire.

The couple's stunning Rebel Red Nissan MICRA became the automaker's 100,000th electric vehicle delivered to a UK customer. It's a milestone 15 years in the making, dating back to when Nissan introduced the world's first mass-market electric car.

"We are delighted with our new MICRA," Mrs. Ainsworth said. "It's our first electric vehicle and we love everything about it."

The journey began in March 2011 when Nissan delivered the pioneering LEAF hatchback to British drivers. That first model offered about 109 miles of real-world range, revolutionary for its time.

Since then, Nissan has steadily expanded its electric lineup. The luxurious ARIYA crossover arrived in 2022 with over 300 miles of range and won Auto Express Car of the Year. The all-new MICRA launched this year to critical acclaim, earning a five-star rating from What Car? magazine.

Adam Gradwell, the specialist who handed over the keys, said his dealership felt incredibly proud to deliver such a special vehicle. "With fuel prices rising significantly this year, the popularity of EVs has increased rapidly," he explained.

The Ripple Effect

Nissan's electric transformation extends far beyond passenger cars. The company employs around 7,000 people across the UK, including at its massive Sunderland plant, the nation's biggest single car facility.

Sunderland now produces the European version of the new third-generation LEAF alongside the popular Qashqai and Juke models. The plant is central to Nissan's EV36Zero project, a vision to create a flagship EV hub combining electric vehicles, renewable energy, and battery production.

The company has also electrified Britain's commercial vehicle sector, evolving from the pioneering e-NV200 van in 2014 to today's high-tech Townstar EV and the Interstar-e, Nissan's first fully electric large van.

Looking ahead, Nissan plans to manufacture the first-ever JUKE EV at Sunderland, plus introduce an ultra-compact city car perfect for urban driving. Every model in the current electric lineup qualifies for the Government's Electric Car Grant, making clean transportation more accessible.

James Taylor, Managing Director of Nissan Motor GB, celebrated the achievement: "We are incredibly proud to have led the way in automotive electrification for 15 years."

The Ainsworths are now enjoying their piece of that history, one quiet, comfortable mile at a time.