BURNLEY MP Gordon Birtwistle has been testing the benefits of electric cars.

The Burnley MP visited the Nissan plant in Sunderland to learn about their apprenticeship scheme, and the company later got in touch with him and offered to lend him one of their ‘Leaf’ model electric cars.

The all-electric car was provided by the Chorley Group’s Nissan dealership in Westgate, Burnley.

Mr Birtwistle said: “It was great fun. I had it for three days and I went to Clayton-le-Moors and back and had no problems on the motorway. I also used the car to go to my constituency appointments around Burnley.

“This car would be perfect for people who commute in big cities like and London. They’re cheap to run and there’s no tax. It would be all right for my wife. She doesn’t do a lot of miles, but just drives to work and back. There is no doubt EVs are the future.

The Nissan Leaf was voted ‘World Car Of The Year 2011’ and Nissan claim it is possible to drive 10,000 miles for just £175.

Nissan Leaf cars start from £20,999 with a government incentive.