Nissan has acknowledged that the checkerboard of rules in California and across the nation can be confusing to buyers. It has sent out instructions to dealers on how to account for sales tax liabilities in the electric-vehicle sales and lease transactions.
"We are trying the best we can to interpret this stuff," said Trisha Jung, chief marketing director for the Nissan Leaf.
State officials also wish it were simpler. That's why the Air Resources Board is constantly updating how much is left in the rebate pot on its website.
"We don't want the consumer to have to do hours and hours of homework to figure this out," said Jack Kitowski, chief of emissions reduction incentives for the Air Resources Board.
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
Green for being green
Current plug-in and alternative-fuel vehicles eligible for a $5,000 California rebate:
* Honda FCX Clarity
* Nissan Leaf
* Tesla Roadster
Upcoming vehicles expected to qualify*:
* Chevrolet Volt
(second generation)
* Ford Focus
* Ford Transit Connect Electric
* Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid
* Toyota RAV4 EV
* Tesla Model S
*Partial list
Source: Center for Sustainable Energy
