MARK Goodier is known to many as a former Radio 1 DJ and these days as a voice on Smooth Radio. Goodier, 49, was the presenter of the UK Top 40 on Radio 1 and a host of Top of the Pops on BBC1.
But Goodier has another obsession aside from music – he’s an EV enthusiast, beginning his fascination with the Ford TH!NK in 2000.
Goodier became the very first owner of a LEAF in March and he’s so in love with it he’s just bought a second for his wife.
What’s the attraction with electric cars?
I started living with electric cars 10 years ago and I did that because of the introduction of the congestion charge. Electric cars are exempt from the charge and get free parking. Not paying those charges saved a lot of money. It’s also the environmental aspect I really like.
What other EVs have you had?
My first electric car was the Ford TH!NK and I had two of them, but after four years Ford scrapped the scheme. They took them away from me and I couldn’t buy them back. But I bought one from Norway, which I’ve still got. For years, I’ve been emailing every new electric car maker who’s started up asking them when their cars will be on the road. As obsessions go, it’s not that much of a bad one is it?
We presume it was good news when Nissan announced the LEAF then?
Absolutely. I contacted Nissan as soon as I heard about it, emailing them non-stop. They invited me to a prototype driving day and that really made my mind up that I had to have one. But even if I hadn’t driven one beforehand, I still would have bought one because it was clear Nissan were serious about making a good EV.
What was it like being the first LEAF customer?
I really did not expect that because the LEAF had to be ordered online so I had no idea where I was in the queue. I later found out I was the first or the second to do so. Getting it was incredibly exciting – imaging getting a new iPhone and times that by 10,000.
What’s it like owning a LEAF?
It is still exciting because other people are just starting to know what it is. I like the fact that it looks like a normal car but with really nice design touches. Even my 17-year-old son, who is a big petrolhead and who thinks my liking of EVs is weird, says it’s the best car we’ve ever had.
What do you think of cars like the Peugeot iOn?
I think the Peugeot looks quite neat but I don’t think it looks like it’s got the finish or the attention to detail the LEAF has got. If people are spending £20-30k on an EV, they want it to be designed from the ground up.
What was the dealer experience like?
I have got nothing but great things to say about Glyn Hopkin. Michael and Jamie there were very good at their communications, and made the experience of getting the Leaf a pleasurable one.
Could you ever see yourself returning to combustion-engined cars?
I have to admit that we have a Volvo XC90 which we have had for about 10 years and we only use that for long trips to Scotland. But, I tell you what, I have been emailing Tesla about their seven-seat EV concept which hopefully has a 300-mile range. It would be fantastic to have one of those!