A DEALERSHIP came up with a great way of showing off the Nissan LEAF as a local authority launched a £200,000 project encouraging electric car usage in the region.
Wests Nissan of King’s Lynn in Norfolk lent a 100% electric LEAF to a senior councillor for a week’s test-drive so he could experience electric motoring at its best.
It came as the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council installed three new rapid-charging points in the town centre in a bid to promote electric cars. Cllr Brian Long, who is responsible for environment issues at the council, was more than happy to take up the offer of a test drive in a LEAF from Sales Manager Scott Walker.
Cllr Long took the LEAF along as he launched the three new electric charging points, which is part of a series of initiatives aimed at improving air quality in the town.
Below, he pens a blog about his love for the car, which can be shared across the Nissan dealer network.
“As the test week passed you soon forget that you are driving an electric car and start to just enjoy it for what it is: a good family car that happens to be powered by electricity.
“Routine journeys to places like the household recycle centre do give you a feeling of wellbeing that you are not just recycling but doing so in a green way, but in reality it’s the big load capacity with the back seats folded down that makes the process less of a chore.
“I took the car to Marshland St James Parish Council and ended up driving one of my colleagues up and down the Smeeth. He was impressed, just like everyone who has been in it.
“Most have also been surprised too by the quietness and, more importantly, the performance. So time has come to take it back to Wests. Am I sorry to see it go? Too right I am.
“I’ve really enjoyed it and will seriously consider electric when I come to change my car next time. I would encourage anyone who commutes less than 80 miles a day to consider one. For some, range will be an issue but for many it won’t be and the latest generation cars will see range increase. As to the rest of the car, it’s great, highly specified with reversing camera, sat nav, climate control and everything else you would expect these days, just quieter and greener.”