CHATTANOOGA (AP) — Nissan said Wednesday it will build motors for its electric Leaf car at its engine plant in Decherd, Tenn.

The company said production will start in 2013 and create up to 90 jobs.

The project is being funded with a loan from the U.S. Department of Energy to encourage advanced technology.

The plant will be able to make up to 150,000 electric motors a year. The Leaf will be built starting late next year at the company's assembly plant about 75 miles away in Smyrna, Tenn.