Nissan to Install 30 Solar EV Chargers in Smyrna

A place which is likely to become, at least for the short term, the EV manufacturing capital of the world is worthy of some very unique things. Smyrna, the place where Nissan will be assembling hundreds of thousands of Leaf models in the years to come, is getting ready to receive all those planet saving EVs in the proper manner. Courtesy of Nissan, of course.

The Japanese manufacturer announced on Monday that it has begun installation of the first of 30 solar EV chargers that are meant for use by Nissan employees and visitors. By the first day of July, Nissan hopes to have all 30 of them in place, ready to receive and charge both the models that come off the assembly lines and the ones traveling to the factory.

"Tennessee is Nissan's home in the Americas region," said Carlos Tavares, Nissan Americas chairman. "These solar-assisted charging stations demonstrate our dedication to a zero-emissions society, and our dedication to bringing innovation to our home in Tennessee. Nissan in the coming year will expand our manufacturing presence, enhance our philanthropic efforts and make new additions to our headquarters operations, all in Tennessee."

The Smyrna facility, which is being built with the help of the $25 billion program authorized by Congress as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, will become, once it's ready, one of the largest auto manufacturing sites in North America, covering 1.3 million square feet. Nissan will hire an extra 1,300 people for future needs.

The plant is intended to manufacture both batteries and electric vehicles, with the projected output being 200,000 batteries and 150,000 EVs each year.