THOUSANDS of UK motorists are already quids in thanks to the Nissan LEAF’s amazing low running costs – now new research aims to drive up that total.
A survey by Go Ultra Low found that some 11.5 million motorists could benefit from the lowest cost, tax-free motoring by switching to a pure-electric zero-emissions vehicle such as the LEAF, because they don’t drive more than 80 miles in a single trip over a typical year.
However, it also revealed range anxiety persisting, with 16 per cent of those quizzed thinking EVs can’t go 50 miles without recharging. Nearly half were also unaware of rapid-charging availability. What’s more, nearly one in 10 wrongly believed EVs couldn’t be driven on motorways, while nearly one in 20 thought it was dangerous to recharge them in the rain.
Motoring journalist Quentin Willson said of the findings: “The Go Ultra Low research shows that a host of misconceptions are hampering consumer uptake, and more needs to be done to educate people about the numerous benefits of these vehicles.”
Alex Michaelides, Go Ultra Low spokesperson, said: “With more than eight million families in the UK running two cars or more, pure-electric vehicles are the perfect family run-around.”
It’s estimated that motorists could save £4,150 on fuel and tax over five years by switching from conventional petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles.
Priced from just £16,490, the British-built Nissan LEAF is the world’s best-selling electric car. It costs just two pence per mile to run, has a range of 124 miles and can be charged from zero to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes.
Go Ultra Low is a joint initiative by the government and major players in the UK automotive industry, including Nissan, to help motorists understand the benefits, savings and capabilities of ultra low emission vehicles. A sample of 1,690 UK drivers was quizzed between 24 December 2014 and 5 January 2015 for the research.