Nissan Looking Beyond Federal Credits For Leaf
Though Nissan has sold over 77,000 Leafs since 2010, the automaker has plans for when the federal credits end with the 200,000th unit of the popular EV.
According to Ward’s Auto, Nissan North America product planning chief Pierre Loing says the automaker is looking to negotiate increasing the limit, proclaiming that the current 200,000-unit limit harms EV adoption:
Being the first ones on the market, we should be among the first ones to reach 200,000, and you penalize those who’ve tried to be first?
That said, even when the $7,500 credit goes away, Nissan has plans to make the Leaf more attractive, from increasing the range to reducing the cost of the EV’s lithium-ion battery pack. Loing admits that the latter’s cost issue hasn’t improved quickly enough, and worries that falling oil prices aren’t going to help much either.
He was pleased with how well the Leaf fared in 2014, however; 30,200 units left U.S. showrooms that year, an all-time record for Nissan.
Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.
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Falling oil prices haven't been a problem yet; this guy ought to check facts before speaking about his own products. Lobbying politicians is not the right approach. 200k units was a very generous limit to begin with. The rule assumed that by the time a mfr had built 200k EVs, they would also have worked out the economies of scale. In addition, the $7500 credit expiration could also hurt Tesla when its Model 3 arrives, but it wouldn't have much effect on the pricey Model S. Nissan should focus on improving the product instead, and they should be working with Tesla to harmonize charging standards.
Now if only Canada can get on the bandwagon to get a Electric infrastructure in place. Here in Ottawa, there really isn't much in place at all.. so EV owners have to rely on their homes for power needs.
To say the Credit will "go away" after 200,000 vehicles is overstating the facts. There is a phase-out period once 200,000 vehicles sold is reached. "Qualifying vehicles manufactured by that manufacturer are eligible for 50 percent of the credit if acquired in the first two quarters of the phase-out period and 25 percent of the credit if acquired in the third or fourth quarter of the phase-out period. Vehicles manufactured by that manufacturer are not eligible for a credit if acquired after the phase-out period." There is an argument for extending credits on the basis that financial support of oil exploration is and has been long term.
Solution: Infinity Leaf!