6:13 pm, April 21, 2011
THE Mayor of London Boris Johnson has accepted the keys to a brand new Nissan Leaf on behalf of TfL
Just weeks ahead of London’s electric vehicle membership scheme, Transport for London and its staff will trial the 100 per cent electric car for one month.
The hand-over ceremony is also part of Johnson’s championing of electric vehicles through Source London – a new network of charging points across the capital.
The Leaf will be used by Surface Transport staff involved in site visits to traffic signals and cameras, and joins the permanent fleet of electric cars used by TfL.
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.’
Paul Willcox, managing director at Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, said: ‘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.’
