City of Sydney drives on the sun

TEN Nissan Leafs have been bought by the City of Sydney in the largest single fleet order of the Japanese-made all-electric hatchbacks in Australia.

To be employed as urban runabouts by city officials, including building and health inspectors, town planners and engineers, the cars will tap into energy from 5500 solar panels on the rooftops of 30 council buildings, including Town Hall House.

The cars – to replace a similar number of Toyota Prius hybrid hatchbacks – were handed over last week by Nissan Australia managing director Bill Peffer to Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore.

Sydney City has already had experience with electric vehicles, having been one of the 30 founding customers for Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV when it arrived in Australia in 2010.

The commitment to fuel-efficient cars, truck and buses in Australia’s biggest city is part of its Sustainable Sydney 2030 program under which the council plans to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 70 per cent and generate all of its electricity needs locally.

Left: Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Nissan Australia managing director Bill Peffer.

Ms Moore said electric cars were 85 per cent cheaper to run than standard petrol cars, had a range of 170km on a full charge and were quiet.

“While our current hybrid vehicles are more fuel-efficient than standard cars, they still use petrol and produce fumes,” she said.

“We are now able to replace them with the latest pollution-free technology which has much lower running costs.

“A shift to electric cars powered by low-carbon energy has benefits for everyone – lower running costs, lower pollution and quieter streets.” The council has already installed seven electric charging stations at its public parking stations in Kings Cross and Goulburn Street.

Official VFACTS sales figures show that Nissan has delivered 108 Leafs across Australia, with most going to corporate or government customers.

In December, Nissan slashed $8000 from the Leaf price, to $46,990 driveaway, until March 31.

A lighter, more efficient model is believed to be in the wings for Australian launch this year, extending the EV’s driving range beyond the current model’s 170km by about 14 per cent.