Nissan plant in Sunderland to supply electric cars for taxi firm Uber

Uber has announced an agreement for Nissan to supply up to 2,000 electric cars to its drivers in London.

The taxi company has around 45,000 drivers in the capital. The deal with car manufacturer Nissan, means drivers will be able to apply to use the Leaf vehicles.

The cars will be manufactured at Nissan's Sunderland factory and can travel up to 168 miles on a single charge.

Uber has raised more than £80 million through its Clean Air Plan to tackle air pollution since it launched in January 2019.

The scheme includes adding a 15p fee to all London journeys.

Nissan will manufacture the Leaf car model for Uber drivers Credit: PA

Uber says the money is used to support the cost of drivers switching to electric vehicles.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

Uber's general manager for northern and eastern Europe Jamie Heywood said:

Transport for London rejected Uber's application for a new London licence in November 2019 due to "several breaches that placed passengers and their safety at risk".

The firm is allowed to continue operating while it appeals against the decision.