NISSAN’S all-electric combi, the e-NV200, has taken off as a pioneering new way of transporting holidaymakers to Gatwick Airport.
Sue Denman, owner of Springwood Guest House, in Horley, near Gatwick, decided to turn to electric motoring as her old diesel was costing her too much in maintenance.
She bought the award-winning Nissan e-NV200 – which costs an average of just 2p a mile to run – and now makes up to six trips a day to and from the busy airport.
Sue said: “I’ve always thought an electric vehicle would be ideal as a shuttle bus to the airport. We had a very old diesel van and I was throwing good money after bad.
“I then looked into what electric vehicles there were on the market and after seeing the e-NV200 it was a no-brainer.
“Quite often we have two couples travelling together so the e-NV200 is ideal as there’s plenty of room for them as well as their luggage.”
Sue, who caters for up to 6,000 guests every year at her art deco-themed guest house in Massetts Road, said the electric combi had attracted a great deal of interest amongst holidaymakers.
“It’s absolutely brilliant. I really love it and have had some fantastic feedback from guests,” she said. “There’s definitely a lot of interest in it.”
Sue said the e-NV200’s silent drive also means it’s ideal for early morning transfers – as it doesn’t wake up sleeping guests compared to when she fired up her noisy diesel.
Sue is also planning on having an electric charger fitted, which she says can be used by her guests who travel down in an electric vehicle.
As well as the cheaper running costs, the e-NV200 has low maintenance costs – £1,200 lower than a conventional diesel van over four years.