London Mayor Boris Johnson Accepts Keys To A Electric Car Nissan Leaf

Boris Johnson is championing electric vehicles through Source London, which will deliver a new network of integrated electric charge points in the city to accelerate uptake of electric vehicles and help cement London’s position as the electric vehicle capital of Europe.

The Mayor said: “Zero-emission electric cars are perfect for city driving, not only delivering cheaper day-to-day running costs for their owners, but also helping to bear down on pollution levels. With a wider range of vehicles now available, we are shifting up a gear to provide more support through Source London for the increasing numbers of people who want to drive them. I am pleased to accept a Nissan LEAF on Transport for London’s behalf so more of our staff can experience the silent, smooth electric experience for themselves, whilst carrying out their duties. We are looking forward to Nissan becoming one of our fantastic Source London partners helping us to make electric driving an easier, more convenient choice.”

The Nissan LEAF, this year’s European Car of the Year and the first electric vehicle to ever win the title, will be used by Surface Transport staff involved in site visits to traffic signals and cameras. The compact hatchback joins the permanent fleet of electric cars used by TfL as part of their commitment to increase the number of zero and low emission vehicles and help improve air quality in the capital.

Paul Willcox, Managing Director at Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, commented: “Nissan fully supports the Mayor’s agenda to promote low and zero carbon emission vehicles in the capital. Critical to the success of electric vehicles is the development of a publicly accessible charging infrastructure which is set to be delivered through Source London. These ambitious plans should see London become one of the key cities for electric vehicles across Europe and a focus of Nissan’s electric vehicle activity.”

Delivered through a wide range of partners, the Mayor’s Source London scheme is a new integrated citywide charging network which will provide at least 1,300 publicly accessible charge points by the end of 2013. London was in the first wave of ‘Plugged in Places’ locations selected by the government to help develop the infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Nissan research has found that 80% of daily driving in Britain involves trips of less than 30 miles. With the Nissan LEAF’s ability to carry five passengers approximately 110 miles (New European Driving Cycle) on a full charge, the car marks a significant development in the environmentally-friendly, cost efficient options available for motorists.

The Nissan LEAF’s advanced technology means it will be considerably cheaper to run than a conventional compact family hatchback. Depending on an individual’s electricity tariff and time of charging, it will be possible to run the Nissan LEAF for less than 2 pence per mile.

Additional financial benefits include reduced servicing costs, exemption from London’s congestion charge, zero road tax and zero benefit in kind for company car drivers. Deliveries of the Nissan LEAF began in the UK in March.