New Nissan Leaf Limo redefines luxury in the renewable era

Limos are all about excess and the Nissan Leaf is all about the end of excess; excess pollution, excess fuel usage, excess resource consumption, even excess size. That is why the new Nissan Leaf Limo is so fantastic. Sometimes opposites attract and in this case the use of a Leaf as the basis for a limo is brilliance.

Electric Party Mobile
When one thinks of limos, it is hard not to image a blond in a little black dress standing up with her top half out the sunroof holding a champagne bottle in one hand a glass in the other and singing (badly) “Cheers To the Freakin’ Weekend.” Or maybe this author just thinks that, but in any case limos are party mobiles. In fact, they have become synonymous with bachelor parties, Vegas, girls-night-out and all things involving living large. We rent them because we are planning ahead to let loose and give up our responsibilities. The Leaf is all about accepting our responsibilities. Merging these two polar opposites is cool in its own way.

Electric Car Marketing Genius
This new Leaf Limo was the brainchild of Trevor Goulding, director of sales for Embassy Suites Nashville South. Recognizing a need to transport customers in the immediate area, Goulding realized that a gas powered vehicle was not necessary. It was also excellent marketing. In its press release for the vehicle Nissan quotes a woman named Krystal (you just can’t make this stuff up!) who says "It feels so smooth. You can't even really hear the engine running, but it wasn't like being in a golf cart either. It was like being in a limousine." No word on if Krystal drinks Crystal while standing up in limos.

Converted Leaf
The vehicle was created by a company in Missouri. Like all limos it is stretched and modified. No extra batteries were added, given the fact that it only makes short runs, they are not needed. The vehicle seats eight and bling including mirrors and leather seats are part of the new look inside. Under the hood the 500 horsepower V10 from a Dodge Viper was added (of course it was NOT).

All kidding aside, using an electric vehicle for short trips that always terminate back at a charging station is their ideal application. The fact that it took this long to become cool is the only surprise.