All These Perks Just For Buying A Car?

Nissan Offers Leaf Buyers Historic Benefits

The all electric Nissan Leaf wont be available until December, but those who preordered are finding that Nissan is treating them particularly well.  Tax credits, rebate checks, personalized home visits, government giveaways and even customer service calls from top corporate executives are part of the full Leaf experience.

"It's almost shocking how many subsidies are available with the Leaf," Jeremy P. Anwyl, chief executive of the auto research Web site Edmunds.com, told the New York Times. 

Justin McNaughton, a Nashville, TN lawyer, recently shared his Leaf purchase experience with the New York Times.  He has been promised pa $7,500 federal tax credit, a $2,500 cash rebate from the state of Tennessee, and a $3,000 home-charging unit courtesy of the Energy Department.

When he had questions about the car, McNaughton received a personal phonecall from a senior manager in Nissan’s corporate planning department.  The call lasted roughly 40 minutes. 

“It just keeps getting better and better,” McNaughton told the Times.  "You kind of feel like you’re one of the chosen people.”

Some cities are even offering free parking and the use of express lanes on highways usually reserved for with multiple passengers to electric car drivers. 

Many states, including Oregon and California are also in the process of setting up multiple charging stations along highways.  Tennessee will provide free public charging stations on 425 miles of freeways that connect Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

In terms of home charging, Nissan says A 240-volt home charging unit can give the vehicle a full charge in about eight hours.

Credits and subsidies vary in each state and market.  For more information on government subsidies visit Fueleconomy.gov.

When the Leaf hits Buffalo, West Herr will be out in front. Visit West Herr Nissan online or just stop in next time you're around Orchard Park.