Ask Driving School's Paul Tomlin has taken delivery of a Nissan Leaf to become the first driving instructor to teach in a 100% electric vehicle.
Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Tomlin has been a driving instructor for 14 years and wanted a more economically friendly car to teach his pupils how to drive.
After a successful test drive of the Leaf from local dealer Holdcroft Nissan Hanley he immediately placed an order to become the UK's first EV driving instructor.
Tomlin is happy to avoid petrol stations and the time incurred filling up, citing a £2,800 cost saving per year over his previous car. He uses a local public 50 amp charger during lunch which allows him to do a few lessons in the morning and a couple more in the afternoon.
He expects to cover approximately 25,000 miles a year instructing learner drivers and will run the Leaf for 18 months before replacing again.
The dual-controlled Leaf has been a hit with pupils who have praised how easy it is to drive and how smooth and effortless the driving experience is.
Tomlin said: "Since I took delivery of the Nissan Leaf there has been lots of interest from my fellow instructors and it's easy to see why.
"The pupils love the car and the immediate success they have had underlines what an easy car the Leaf is to drive.
"For me personally I'm happy to now avoid the petrol stations and I feel happier for the environment by driving a zero emissions vehicle."
Adrian Baldry - 04/02/2013 12:32
A new driver taking their test in this type of car will have a restriction to driving this type of gear box ie if its just auto this will be all they will be entitaled to drive