The first Nissan electric LEAF limousine is now in service, ferrying hotel passengers in Nashville, Tennessee.
Metroland Media/Wheelstalk.com -
FRANKLIN, Tenn. – You have never seen anything like it. Inside it’s a limo and outside it’s a stretched Nissan LEAF. “This is the world’s first road-worthy, licensed, street legal electric limousine, and this is it,” said Trevor Goulding, director of sales for Embassy Suites Nashville South.
“I don’t know how they did it, if they cut a car in half, but it’s really interesting and fun that they did,” said first-time passenger Krystal Serrano.
The Embassy suites hotel in Nashville, Tennessee needed a new way to shuttle guests. Their typical trip is less than five miles from the hotel. The hotel chain is committed to luxury and going green, so they contracted a company to create a LEAF limo.
They kept most of the Nissan LEAF’s essential parts intact. There is still just one battery pack, but it now sits in the back for balance. Approximately 400 pounds was added in the center of the car to make room for more seating. And they added mirrors, plush leather and cedar paneling, synonymous with luxury limos.
The interior of the Nissan LEAF limo is outfitted like any luxury hauler, with plush leather and wood paneling.
The hotel’s shuttle driver Phillip Huckelba said he is surprised how well the conversion worked. It fits eight adults, including the driver, comfortably. “I think it will catch on once the word is out there. It always takes one to get something started,” he added.
