GreenBriefs: Japan OKs $38,000 Rebate to Tesla Roadster Buyers; Nissan, Hawaii to Promote State EV Charging Network; Chevy Volt Production to Begin November 11
By Scott Doggett September 1, 2010
Tesla Motors announced today that its Roadster has been approved for the Japanese government's Clean Energy Cash Rebate Program, which allows buyers of the all-electric high-performance sports car in Japan to receive a cash rebate of up to 3.24 million yen (or $38,000 at today's exchange rate).
The Roadster is only the second standard-sized car, following the plug-in Prius hybrid by Toyota, to qualify. It is also the only qualified import vehicle.
Palo Alto, California-based Tesla designs and makes electric vehicles and EV powertrain components. To date, it has delivered more than 1,200 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia. It remains the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production.
Tesla entered Japan in May of this year and has begun deliveries of its Signature Series Roadsters to pioneer customers. The base model, which starts at 12.8 million yen ($149,200), including tax but before the cash rebate, is available for custom orders immediately.
Nissan North America and Hawaii have partnered to advance zero-emission mobility by promoting the development of electric vehicles, and an electric-vehicle charging network, throughout the state.
The partnership was announced at the Asia Pacific Clean Energy Summit and Expo in Honolulu. The Nissan Leaf battery-electric car will be available in Hawaii beginning in January 2011.
Hawaii has a $4,500 state tax credit towards the purchase of an electric vehicle and a $500 state tax credit towards the purchase and installation of a home charging station.
The state tax credit, paired with a $7,500 federal tax credit, could bring the price of a Leaf, which carries a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $32,780, to as low as $20,780 for Hawaii consumers. The tax incentives are available for a limited time only.
General Motors announced today that production of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid will commence this November 11, which is Veterans Day in the U.S.
Dealer deliveries typically start about a month after production begins, so the early models should begin appearing in dealer showrooms the first half of December.
Between now and November, the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant will continue building the pre-production units that are going into GM's captured test fleet for use by employees for real-world evaluation.
GM has said it plans to build 10,000 Volts by the end of 2011 and another 30,000 in 2012.
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