Nissan is to fund the installation of an electric vehicle charging point in Lincoln, following criticism on Top Gear about the lack of an EV charging infrastructure.
Top Gear flat EV ‘intentional’
In a clever response to the Top Gear episode, which saw Jeremy Clarkson and James May charge their EVs using extension cables at the city’s university, Nissan is funding the installation of Lincoln’s first EV charging point – neatly deflecting attention away from the battery-powered LEAF’s 100-mile electric range in the process.
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The charging point will be a twin-socket PodPoint unit, which says Nissan, “would allow both Jeremy and James to recharge their batteries at the same time”.
Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman said: “This is excellent news for the electric car community of Lincoln.
“If the charging point had existed when Top Gear were there, James wouldn’t now be walking around with Jeremy’s name tattooed on his bottom. Still, better late than never.”
Nissan executive vice president Andy Palmer pointed out that, according to Nissan research, most LEAF owners charge their cars at home or at work – but many also like the reassurance of being able to ‘top up’ when out and about, “especially if they are making longer journeys”.
This is exactly what Clarkson and May were doing – and, in reaching the limits of current EV batteries, highlighted the current lack of backup infrastructure in the UK for electric cars.
Lincoln Councillor Fay Smith said: “The Top Gear programme highlighted the fact that Lincoln does not currently provide for electric cars and we’re really pleased that Nissan is now funding a charging point.
“We’re committed to reducing the city’s carbon footprint, but know that we can’t do it alone, so it’s great that private businesses like Nissan are getting behind this and putting in the infrastructure.”
The recharge point will be in place before the end of August and, in a further stroke of genius, Nissan is inviting Clarkson and May back to be the first people to use it.
Indeed, added Palmer, in time, “Lincoln could find itself becoming a tourist destination for Nissan LEAF owners”…
