The nice thing about buying advanced-technology cars is that many of them, at one point or another, come with financial incentives meant to encourage fuel efficiency.

Even if the car in question is a 2010 Tesla Roadster, the $109,000 two-seat all-electric convertible that blasts from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4 seconds on the power of 6,831 little lithium-ion batteries--and uses no gasoline whatsoever.

Bruce Richter drives the 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport

Bruce Richter drives the 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport

2010 Tesla Roadster Sport

2010 Tesla Roadster Sport

Starting today, the not-yet-quite-bankrupt State of California is offering $5,000 rebates to residents who buy or lease a Tesla Roadster. The cash comes from its new Clean Vehicle Rebate Project.

Like last year's $42,000 Colorado state tax credit for buyers of 2009 Roadsters, this one has a time limit too. Funds are limited, as they say, and the credits are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

More than that, Tesla Roadster buyers are also eligible for the maximum $7,500 credit on their Federal income taxes, assuming they have sufficient income against which to apply that credit. (If they're buying a two-seater for more than $100K, we assume they do ....)

And the action's not limited to the U.S. Other countries and regions offer incentives too.

Starting next January, a new U.K. allowance will give 25 percent of the purchase price--up to a maximum of £5,000 (roughly$7,500)--off the cost of an all-electric car. A purchase-price reduction is considered a much better incentive than a tax credit, but it's not likely here.

We still pine for that $42,000 Colorado credit, though. This year's credit in the state maxes out at $6K, and it just doesn't seem the same. Sigh.

[Tesla Motors]