Nissan Leaf to cost less than $26,000 after tax credit
Can it really make money?The Nissan Leaf will cost $32,780 when it goes on sale at the end of the year. Thus, after the $7500 plug-in tax credit, the Leaf will sell for $25,280.
While the Leaf will sell for $40,000 in Japan, Nissan is lowering the cost for the US market to increase volume, yet the automaker claims it can still make money at this price.
Sounds like a pretty fair price after the tax credit, but it sure seems hard to believe Nissan can make money on this vehicle when similar EVs cost almost $50,000. Still, the key question is, what happens after the tax credit expires? At almost $33,000 Leaf sales will hit a serious wall without a big drop in price.
Labels: electric cars, nissan leaf
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:13 AM
11 Comments:
O.K so take another $10,000 off the $25,280 and I will buy one. Am I the only one with no extra money to spend?
It's going to be a long time before we see EVs priced that low. Still, for early adopters, I think $25,280 is a pretty fair price.
Nonetheless, I can't see this car going very far once the tax credit expires. It's not just limited range. There is almost no cargo space.
Don't go spending that credit yet. They'll find a way not to give it. I wouldn't do it unless I walked off the lot with the $7500 cash (not even a check) much less trust them to take it off my tab on the following year's income tax. Google "AMT hybrid fine print" for a dose of reality.
I have a little more faith in the $7500 credit.
I bought solar panels for my house last year and had no issues getting the 30% tax credit when I did my taxes this year.
The bad news is that you have to pay the money up front. A rebate, like the one used in cash-for-clunkers, would be more appealing.
A point of sale tax credit would definitely be beneficial.
nice car
As most of you know I once sold solar PV systems for homes here in Arizona.
Our utility provides a $3.00/watt rebate and the state also kicks in another $1,000.00 credit. Then there is the 30% Federal credit. This makes solar PV affordable for many but not for all. Something like the credits for hybrids. Why not a grant like below?
If you own a business you have a choice of taking the 30% Federal credit with 5 years to capture the credits OR to get a 30% grant [full cash payment] in the year the system is installed. No waiting to use up the $5-15,000.00 credits applicable to some systems.
So if you have a business and have been considering solar PV NOW IS THE TIME.
Whenever taxes are involved, it seems there are always inefficiencies and loopholes.
Anyway, why even burden the consumers at all? Why not simply give manufacturers a tax credit for every system that enables them to sell a system knowing that they'll get a certain return from the government? No sale, no tax credit for anyone, but put the burden on the manufacturer, not the consumer.
Getting the consumer involved almost seems a diversion or loophole in and of itself.
Dahcredyns:
Good idea but could get complicated since suppliers frequently combine various manufacturers like Sanyo panels with Unirac supports and another manufacturer for the inverter. But it could be done.
Recent news in the field is sounding quite good. Currently solar panel prices are in the $3-6.00/watt range. When production of thin-film panels ramps up these prices could drop to about $1.00 per watt at the retail level. At that point solar will become less expensive than coal.
I can see a day in the not to distant future where your plug-in hybrid will be run by the sun. It is coming.
What I'd like to see is an off-the-grid combo:
1) Electric vehicle
2) Windmill or Solar setup
3) Hand-holding: Personal consulting package to identify the best local alternate energy devices and federal and local tax credits and get all of the paperwork together.
I'd think you could run and ad in Scientific American or some other magazine and make a good living if you had the expertise. Basically you'd be a private alternative energy contractor.
An actual immediate rebate while still at the dealer seems like the best way to handle the Leaf in particular, but I think for the next decade or so #3 is a viable career for the right person, though I;d have a strong disclaimer about any tax credits actually coming through to your clients.
I sure hope so, Tom!
KP, I hear you on the tax credits, which means you have to be a financial adviser, in addition to energy consultant, LOL.
Seriously, though, I think your combo idea is a very good one.
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