Other renewables

Tennessee is a primary launch market for the electric car Nissan LEAF,

Governor Bredesen announced the rebate today during the Fuel Solutions Forum hosted by the Tennessee Valley Authority. "Today’s announcement is just one more step on the path to a green economy in the state of Tennessee and the nation," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America. "The state has been a leader in the promotion of zero-emission mobility and is to be commended for creating the right environment for all electric vehicles like the Nissan LEAF to be an option for consumers in Tennessee."

Tennessee is a primary launch market for the electric car Nissan LEAF, with sales commencing in the state in December. The rebate will be offered through Nissan’s network of dealerships in the state and will be applied at the time the vehicle is purchased. Tennessee’s $2,500 rebate combined with an eligible maximum $7,500 federal tax credit could bring the value of a MY 2011 Nissan LEAF, which carries a manufacturer’s suggested retail of price of $32,780, to as low as $22,780. Other states that are offering financial incentives for the purchase of an electric vehicle include California, Georgia, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Maryland, and South Carolina.

Nissan has been working with the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley Authority since forming a partnership in 2008 on the promotion of zero-emission mobility in the state. The partnership has worked together on the planning and deployment of an infrastructure for electric vehicles, including charging stations that will be located throughout Middle Tennessee at retail centers, parking garages, airports, tourist attractions, major employers and schools.

The state of Tennessee also will be the manufacturing home for the Nissan LEAF beginning in 2012. Earlier this summer, Nissan broke ground on a production facility in Smyrna, Tenn. that will produce the lithium-ion batteries that power the Nissan LEAF. The Nissan LEAF also will be produced at the company’s vehicle assembly plant in Smyrna. Nissan LEAF and battery production will create up to 1,300 jobs when the plants are operating at full capacity. Nissan received a $1.4 billion dollar loan by the U.S. Department of Energy for the construction of the battery plant and the retooling of the assembly plant. Nissan will repay the loan in full with interest.

The Nissan LEAF is a five-passenger compact electric car that uses no gas, creates no emissions while driving and has no tailpipe. It has a top speed of 90 mph and is powered by advanced lithium-ion batteries, which provide the car with a range of 100 miles on a single charge as tested on the LA4 test cycle, enough to satisfy the daily driving needs of more than 90 percent of Americans.

Nationwide, more than 19,000 consumers have reserved a Nissan LEAF. Nissan is continuing to take reservations through its website, www.nissanusa.com. Interested consumers are encouraged to place a reservation, which entails a $99 fully refundable fee to reserve a spot on the list to place an order for a MY 2011 or MY 2012 Nissan LEAF depending upon availability. Consumers who already have reserved the Nissan LEAF online will be invited to place orders through their dealer for the vehicle in advance of a market roll-out timing, allowing time for consumers to select a dealer and assess home charging needs.

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

www.NissanUSA.com