NISSAN'S Sunderland factory has set another production record - becoming the first European carmaker to build 50,000 electric vehicles.

Three years after the Japanese motor company introduced electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing to Europe, the 50,000th Wearside-made Leaf has rolled off the production line. The silver, top of the range Tekna grade model is destined for a customer in France.

Leafs made at the North-East plant are exported to 23 markets covering Western Europe as well as Argentina, Iceland, Israel and Taiwan.

Electric car and battery manufacturing was launched at Sunderland in 2013 by Prime Minister David Cameron and now supports more than 2,000 jobs at Nissan and in its UK suppliers.

The firm said 2016 would be another landmark year for the model with the extended-range 250km Leaf introduced to Europe and the announcement that Nissan’s future generation batteries are confirmed for production in Sunderland – a further £26.5m investment in the plant.

Earlier this month The Northern Echo revealed that by the end of this year Nissan would stop making the Note model at Sunderland. It remains committed however, to the Leaf.

Paul Willcox, chairman of Nissan Europe said: “What Nissan is doing today with electric vehicle technology is more advanced than any other car manufacturer.

“This milestone is another first for Nissan and for our team in Sunderland. No other brand has Nissan’s experience or expertise in both battery and vehicle production, and I’m thrilled that over 50,000 customers in Europe share our vision for a zero-emission future.”

Five years ago, Leaf was the first mass-market electric vehicle to go on sale and it remains the best-selling EV of all time with almost 220,000 vehicles sold worldwide.

Transport Minister, Andrew Jones, the MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, said: “This major milestone is great news for Nissan and yet another example of Britain leading the way in developing cleaner vehicle technology, which is good for the environment and supports jobs and growth. Our goal is for nearly every car to be zero emission by 2050 and we are investing £600m in electric vehicles to make this a reality.”

Later this year Nissan Sunderland celebrates its 30th anniversary. It is the most productive plant in the history of UK car manufacture.