58 Nissan Leafs on standby as Ireland finalizes plug-in vehicle incentives

2011 Nisan Leaf – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nissan Leaf buyers in Ireland have been unable to take delivery of their electric hatchbacks because the sovereign state's promised plug-in vehicle incentive program has not been finalized. Grants of up to €5,000 ($7,120 U.S. at the current exchange rate) were to be offered on the purchase of plug-ins beginning on January 1st, 2011, but delays in implementing the scheme have resulted in zero electric vehicles being registered in Ireland so far this year.

Paul O'Sullivan, marketing director for Nissan Ireland, says that Irish buyers have placed 400 orders for the Leaf and 58 of the electric hatchbacks have already arrived from Japan. However, Nissan Ireland is unwilling to release the 58 vehicles until the state's plug-in incentive scheme is in place. The Leaf's MSRP in Ireland is €34,995 ($49,833 U.S.), but the proposed grant would effectively drop it down to €29,995 ($42,713 U.S.). It's smart to wait, since the government of Ireland reportedly won't guarantee retrospective payment of the grants if vehicles are registered before the scheme is finalized. Hat tip to Guillaume!