A NISSAN dealer in Hampshire is fast becoming the focal point for electric vehicle (EV) enthusiasts in the south east after it staged another successful meet and greet for owners and would-be owners.
Dozens of Nissan LEAF owners headed to WKB Nissan Waterlooville to share their passion for the pure-electric family car, which costs just 2p a mile to run.
For the second year running, the Hambledon Road showroom laid on food for the day and invited potential customers to talk to LEAF owners from across the region.
Nissan Motor (GB) EV Manager, Paul O’Neill, and Mike Harris, Nissan LEAF Experience Manager, drove down in their British-built LEAFs for the event.
Mr O’Neill said: “It was great to see everyone turning up to share their passion for the Nissan LEAF.
“It is a pioneering car that offers so many benefits. This is why it has become the most successful EV vehicle in the UK and the world.”
The annual South Coast EV Drivers event – organised by enthusiast Grant Thomas, from Emsworth – is growing in popularity with more than 30 EV owners attending this year, the vast majority coming in LEAFs.
A series of talks were held during the afternoon, while LEAF owners got the chance to chat and mix with each other.
Mr Thomas, who bought a brand new LEAF from WKB Nissan Waterlooville last week, said: “The dealership is so supportive and engaged with EV.
“Their enthusiasm for electric shines through. It’s great that they kindly hosted our meet and greet.”
The Nissan LEAF remains the nation’s electric model of choice, boasting 55 per cent of the pure EV market and outselling its nearest competitor by more than 2:1.
Bob Mingay, 74, from Portchester, who has owned a Nissan LEAF for four years, said: “Even now, all these years on I still get a buzz every time I get in and drive it.
“It’s a marvellous car.”
Chris Cardy, LEAF innovations specialist at WKB Nissan in Waterlooville, added: “We are one of the best-performing dealers for the number of LEAF sales.
“People have come in looking to buy a car and chosen the LEAF as they see the real benefits of owning one.”
