A PIONEERING electric vehicle, which is being made in the North-East, could soon be a familiar sight in a US city.

The Nissan Leaf electric car model, that is currently rolling off the production line at Nissan, in Sunderland, has been chosen to take part in a pilot scheme in the US as an eco-friendly taxi service.

The firm has sent six Leafs to New York from a plant in the US, as city bosses explore the potential to include more electric cars into its taxi fleet.

The Japanese manufacturer is investing £420m in the North-East project, which will create 560 jobs at the Sunderland plant and 1,500 jobs at supply companies.

A five-seater hatchback, which is the world's first mass-market electric vehicle, the Leaf can travel about 125 miles on a single charge, and is powered by batteries being made at a facility next to the Sunderland factory.

The New York link comes as plastics business, Nifco, based in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, takes on a fleet of Qashqai vehicles, which are also made at Nissan's Sunderland factory.

The firm makes small parts that are used in Nissan cars, and the Qashqais will be used by members of its 350-strong workforce.

Doug Binks, Nifco director of finance and administration, said: “We have a very strong relationship with Nissan.

“The North-East has a strong manufacturing base, and Nissan and the regional supply chain it has helped to drive, is playing a significant role in making the area the only one in the country with a positive balance of trade.”