AN ESSEX mayor is stepping into the 100% electric Nissan LEAF in a bid to save cash and make travelling to official engagements more environmentally friendly.
Steve Liddiard, the Mayor of Thurrock, took the pioneering LEAF for a free, seven-day test drive from Toomey Nissan Basildon.
He was so pleased with the driving experience – and the fact it costs just 2p a mile to run ¬– he bought one.
Councillor Liddiard can now enjoy meeting residents of Thurrock without fear of running up costly fuel bills while also promoting zero emissions mobility.
The mayor traded in his 2.2 litre diesel car for the LEAF, which is his own personal vehicle.
He said: “As soon as I stepped into the Nissan LEAF I was hooked.
“It’s such an amazing car to drive, it looks great and it absolutely suits my lifestyle.”
He added: “The people of Thurrock will see me out and about in my LEAF and hopefully they will now be inspired to go electric too.”
Darren Smith, Nissan LEAF specialist at Toomey Nissan Basildon, in West Mayne, said: “The mayor has seen the real benefits to owning the Nissan LEAF.
“In his position he clocks up lots of miles so it makes sense to use a vehicle that offers significant savings and contributes to improving the town’s air quality.
“We hope others will be encouraged to join him and take up electric motoring.”
