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Nissan to Build Battery Plant in Portugal

Japanese automaker Nissan announced today it has begun construction of a lithium-ion battery plant in Cacia, Portugal, that is projected to start operations in December 2012. The new facility, which requires an investment of 156 million euros, is expected to offer about 200 jobs. The battery plant is being built on 30,450 sqm and will have a total capacity of 50,000 units a year.

The project also benefited from support from the Portuguese government who shares the Alliance’s vision for zero-emission mobility.

Last April, Nissan began construction of a battery plant in Sunderland, United Kingdom, which will start operations in early 2012 with an annual capacity of 60,000 units. Renault’s battery plant in Flins, France will  have a total production capacity of 100,000 units a year.

“The Cacia plant will be one of three facilities in Europe supplying batteries to electric vehicles produced by the Alliance, starting with the 100% electric Nissan LEAF. Together, the three plants will enable the Alliance to rollout electric vehicles in Europe on an unprecedented scale, bringing the world one step closer to a zero-emission future,” said Nissan’s Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony.

By 2015, the Alliance will have the capacity to produce 500,000 electric vehicles and batteries at its plants around the world.

In 2008, Portugal became the first country in Europe to partner with the Alliance for zero-emission mobility. The country is building an extensive network of charging stations and this summer expects to have installed 1,350 units across the nation, including 50 quick chargers.

Nissan delivered nine Nissan LEAFs to the Portuguese electric mobility consortium MOBI.E and one to the Portuguese government in December ahead of the car’s official launch to individual customers in Europe shortly.
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