The new Nissan Leaf outside the Westpoint development, in Baring Road, Cowes. From left, Phil Potts from Westway Nissan, Southampton, future resident George Lemonofides and developer Neil Payne. Picture by Peter Boam.
THE first all-electric Nissan Leaf car has arrived on the Island.
The new vehicle will be part of the Island’s first electric car share scheme for residents at Westpoint — a new development of luxury retirement apartments in Cowes.
Westpoint, located in Baring Road, comprises eight tastefully designed apartments available to buy for the over 55s, built by Island firm Westmont Properties.
Neil Payne, from Westmont Properties, believes the car-share scheme is perfect for the Island and will prove a big hit among residents.
"All the residents have to do is simply book out the car for when they need it. We have got an electric charge point on site, making it easy to charge back up after it has been used. It will cover around 150 miles in eco-charge mode and does about 300 miles for the cost of a gallon of petrol.
"The car share was agreed with planners and the IW Council and is the first of its type to be launched on the Island. It’s important that we all do our bit to help the environment," he said.
The Leaf is a five-passenger hatchback, pure electric vehicle — there is no fuel required and no tailpipe emissions.
It is powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery which is capable of charging in eight hours, as well as in 25 minutes using quick-charging technology.
The Leaf incorporates features that increase aerodynamics which, in turn, increases range. These include a low, V-shaped front end, large LED headlamps and flat floor to steer airflow around and under the vehicle.
One Islander who hopes to be driving the Nissan Leaf on a regular basis is George Lemonofides, of Cowes, who is planning to move into the new Westpoint development.
He had a test drive in the Leaf and was so impressed he is is seriously considering giving up his own car — a seven-seater Honda — in favour of joining the Nissan Leaf car-share scheme.
"I thought it was amazing, it drove like a normal car. It’s an automatic, so that makes the driving easy, it’s incredibly quiet and very responsive," he said. "The Island is the ideal place for an electric car, people rarely drive more than 50 to 70 miles at a go anyway.
"So if it all works out, I might even be able to get rid of my car and rely on the car share, just renting a car when I need one — and save a lot of money," said Mr Lemonofides.
Reporter: mattw@iwcpmail.co.uk