2012 Nissan Leaf Gets Even Cheaper: Now, $139/Month Lease
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Plug-in electric car sales are growing in the U.S., with the Chevy Volt in particular going from strength to strength.
The 2012 Nissan Leaf, however, is not doing so well. Despite being one of the earliest electric cars on the market, it's been outsold three to two this year by the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid.
What is it that carmakers do to boost sales? Why, offer incentives, of course!
Which is how it comes to pass that you can lease a brand-new Nissan Leaf SL battery-electric car for a mere $139 a month with $2,995 down.
The lower-than-ever lease deal is available from Boardwalk Nissan in Redwood City, California, and potentially a number of other dealers as well.
The 24-month lease allows 1,000 miles per month--12,000 a year--and is offered through October 31.
It's worth noting that the deal applies not to the bare-bones Leaf SV model, but the higher trim level SL, which represents the bulk of Leaf deliveries and includes a standard quick-charging port.
With a recent article in the Los Angeles Times concluding that a Nissan Leaf pays back its higher purchase cost over six years if gasoline hits $5 a gallon, the new deal will undoubtedly reinforce the inexpensive nature of driving on electricity drawn from the grid.
It's worth noting, though, that all such electric-car leases are based on the $7,500 Federal tax credit for purchase of a plug-in car goes to the financial institution that holds the lease, not to the person who leases the car.
In California, however, a 24-month lease does not qualify for the full $2,500 state purchase rebate--which stays with the lessee, not the issuer of the lease, but requires the lessee or owner to keep the car for 36 months.
In California, however, the state's $2,500 purchase rebate remains with the lessee, not the issuer of the lease.
Reader and electric-car fan Brian Henderson contacted the dealership and spoke to Melina Hristova, a Leaf specialist and Internet sales manager.
She confirmed the deal, and explained that in addition to the $2,995 down payment, the "drive-off fees" (including paperwork, registration, and the first month's payment) amounted to $1,200.
Hristova said that Boardwalk Nissan has "sold more Leafs than anyone else," a claim that couldn't immediately be confirmed.
[hat tip: Brian Henderson]
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Assume that a similar size gas-powered car would get about 30 mpg. Over a 1,000-mile month, that's 33 gallons of gas. Gas in California is about $4.50 these days, so that works out to $148.50 per month savings. If you charge the car at night, electricity cost for the month will be about $12.50. Net savings: $136.50.
Net cost of leasing a brand new Leaf: $2.50 a month.
As for the down payment, the $2500 state tax credit reduces the down payment to $495.
$495 down, $2.50 a month. I'll bet they sell a few.
In CA where PG&E service its customer, THERE IS ONLY SCAM DISCOUNT on the EV charging rate. 300 KWh additional E usage will bump ANY PG&E customer into at least tier-2 to tier-3 range. That will increase their "regular" electricy use to the $0.24 or $0.33 per KWh rate. So, the average rate is still going to be in the $0.15-$0.20/KWh range. But if you are already a LARGE E users (without solar), it will bump you into Tier-4/5 range and you will be paying average $0.30 per KWh for all your Electricity.
In that case, your monthly E cost will go up by $100. Still cheaper than gas. But you are NOT driving it for $2.50/month.
Tiered pricing is not uncommon and it makes sense without EV. At least one home owner I know offset such cost via SolarCity's lease program (some down payment with no monthly fee).
You are right, it will ONLY make sense if you do PPA plan with Solar City or Sungevity.
But E-9A and E-9B are both scam. E-9B cost few thousands extra to install seperate meter.
E-9A give you lower price after Midnight. But its 2pm-9pm usage is PEAK and it will charge you $0.50 per KWh, more than offset your off peak charging.
Which NORMAL household does NOT use power during 2pm-9pm period?
Yes, I am paying a "marginal" rate of $0.50/kWh at peak and $0.30/kWh partial-peak. But this means if I switch to LED from incandescent, which is almost always used during peak and off-peak, it can pay off in 1-1.5 years.
Under E-9A, your off peak rate will be as low as $0.09/KWh. But that is between midnight to 7Am.
Now. Let us say you use about 500 KWh per month before EV (normal for a typical family with kids and 2,000 sq ft house).
Adding 300 KWh additional usages will push you WELL into tier 3/4. So, any usage in those tiers will be charged $0.50/KWh.
Sure, your EV will be charged at $0.09/KWh in the first half of the month (at later tier, it goes up to $0.24/KWh). But your day to day household usage (between 2pm-9pm) will be charged at $0.50/KWh in the second half of the month. Overall, your cost is NOT lower much.
The best way is to get on E-6 and install solar.
The low price Lease worked well for Leaf last month (increased sales), so Nissan is willing to try again.
Now, I wonder how many "Reuter" writers are out there "punching the numbers" so they can calculate how much money that Nissan is losing on every Leaf sold so far...
How come it is so silent from the so called "Truth Agence", aka Fox News?
With a recent article in the Los Angeles Times concluding that a Nissan Leaf pays back its higher purchase cost over TK years if gasoline hits $5 a gallon, the new deal will undoubtedly reinforce the inexpensive nature of driving on electricity drawn from the grid.
I've fixed it now, complete with link.
It is sort like "hedging" your bet...
I tried contacting our local Nissan dealer and asking what lease terms they have on the Leaf, but regrettably, they chose not to respond to the question. Sad.
However, for many of us these current short term Leaf lease deals are too good to pass up on getting an EV in our garages this month.
In my opinion, this lack of enthusiasm is what is causing lack of sales. It might help sales if the dealer mentioned that the Leaf interior is comparable to a Cadillac or Mercedes-Benz as I discovered when I drove someone else's Leaf
If anyone has any questions, I can be reached at bdolan@bwalkauto.com
MrEnergyCzar
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