Recharge Wrap-up: Group buy means $11,510 Nissan Leaf, VW makes progress on US diesel case

A group buy of the Nissan Leaf in Austin, Texas secured a base price of $11,510 per vehicle. Smart Charge America's initiative, with the backing of Nissan, has locked in a $10,000 group buy incentive discount. Other discounts include the $7,500 federal tax credit, $1,000 tax credit for a charger, up to $1,500 off a home charger through Austin Energy, and an additional 15 percent off (up to $500) charger installation from Smart Charge Residential. That means buyers can get a Leaf equipped with the 30 kWh battery for as low as $14,950. Read more at Electrek, or from Smart Charge America.

Volkswagen is closer to having a solution for 3.0-liter diesel vehicles affected by emissions cheating. US District Judge Charles Breyer says the automaker has made "substantial progress" toward a plan to fix or remove from the road some 80,000 remaining VW, Audi, and Porsche vehicles. These vehicles are one of the final matters for Volkswagen to resolve in US courts. An incoming Trump administration raises questions as to the outcome of theses legal proceedings, and whether possible deregulation or VW's status as a foreign company could help or hinder its case. Read more from Automotive News Europe.

Several European countries have delayed implementing stricter emissions testing. According to a report from the EU parliament, Italy, France, Spain, and others are dragging their feet despite illegal pollution levels. The report also points at EU executives who acted slowly in order to protect Europe's auto industry following the 2008 financial crisis. "Dieselgate would not have happened if our national governments and the European Commission had acted," says Dutch Liberal politician Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy. The Commission is taking legal action against seven countries for not policing emissions properly, and will meet with representatives to decide on improving emissions tests. Read more at Automotive News Europe.