If you’re an eco-conscious elitist but require the pomp and circumstance of a chauffeur, your options are limited. Which is why a custom stretched Nissan Leaf was commissioned by a hotel chain in Tennessee.
An Embassy Suites in Nashville contracted LimoLand.com’s Imperial Coach Builders, based in Missouri, to add the extra length to a Leaf. The process took about a year to complete, from inception by the heads at the hotel to rolling out of the garage.
“The battery layout had to be moved rearward, but other than that, lengthening the wire was all that really happened,” says Gary Spaniak of Imperial, who worked on the limousine. “We built it out of aluminum, made it to be stronger than it was before, then put some flush leather seating and wood accents.” He says that the research and development was the hardest part since they needed to ensure the voltage was safe for passengers.
Trevor Goulding of Embassy Suites says, “When the idea of building an electric limousine was first presented, we immediately said that it had to be a Nissan Leaf, not only because Nissan North America is our neighbor and strategic business partner, but also because of the car’s global popularity.” The car’s range lost to the 400 or so pounds of extra weight is mostly negligible since the hotel says most of the trips passengers will be taking with it will be shorter than five miles.
Spaniak says his garage is scheduled to build 10 Leaf limos a month, with both private buyers and companies already lined up to purchase. “I’d like to see it in the actor/actress realm,” he says. “When they go to the Academy Awards, there’s a lot of waiting around [with non-EV cars wasting gas].” So look for one on the red carpet next year.
Photo courtesy of Embassy Suites
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