Nissan rolled out in front of the EV pack in the United States, introducing the affordable Nissan Leaf in December of 2010. There have been a lot of developments in electric mobility since then, but the small but mighty Leaf continues on and was joined just this year by the Nissan Ariya electric crossover. Both qualify for Colorado tax credits of $5,000 for purchasing an eligible EV. Big savings on fuel and maintenance make these two Nissan EVs even more attractive.
Nissan Leaf
When the Leaf made its debut, its range on a full charge was only 73 miles. Even so, it took the world by storm, winning, among others, the 2010 Green Car Vision Award, the 2011 European Car and World Car of the Year awards. Up until 2021, it was ranked as the world’s top-selling plug-in electric car. Twelve years on, there’s still a lot to love about the Nissan Leaf, available in two versions, the Leaf S and Leaf SV Plus:
Range – Leaf up to 149 miles, Leaf SV Plus up to 212 miles Battery – Leaf: 147 hp, 40 kWh; Leaf SV Plus: 214 hp, 60 kWh Efficiency – Leaf: EPA estimated 123 MPGe city/99 MPGe hwy; Leaf SV Plus 121 MPGe/98 MPGe. Charge – up to 80% in 40-60 minutes using a 50 kW fast charger or full charge in 7.5 hours at home Perks – tax credits for buying/leasing and toward installing a home charger, HOV lane access and preferred parking in many locations.
Sure, the Nissan Leaf may not be as glamorous as some of its electrified competitors, but almost none of them are as competitively priced, either. The Leaf gets five stars on government crash tests. The Nissan Leaf starts at under $30,000 after incentives are applied!
The Nissan Leaf S comes with the Nissan Safety Shield® 360, a comprehensive suite of safety features, and Apple CarPlay® integration and Android Auto™ compatibility. Available NissanConnect® EV & Services app, powered by SiriusXM, allows you to use your smartphone as a remote, provides navigation and use voice commands for all sorts of things – hands-free.
The Nissan Leaf SV Plus builds on the Leaf S, coming standard with Nissan Door-to-Door Navigation with Premium Traffic and NissanConnect EV & Services powered by SiriusXM
Nissan Ariya
Ready for an EV crossover with great range, horsepower and features? The Nissan Ariya EV is the choice for you! AutoTrader.com has named it one of the 2023 “10 Best Electric Cars.” In fact, Ariya is all about choices:
Front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive with Nissan e-4ORCE four-wheel-control system Performance with two batteries possibilities: 63 kWh or 87 kWh
160 kW/214 hp (Engage) @ zero-60 mph in as little as 7.1 seconds 178 kW/238 hp (Venture+, Evolve+, Empower+) @ zero-60 mph in as little as 7.2 seconds 250 kW/335 hp (Engage e-4ORCE) @ zero-60 mph in as little as 5.1 seconds 290 kW/389 hp (Engage+ e-4ORCE, Evolve+ e-4ORCE, Platinum+ e-4ORCE) @ zero-60 mph in as little as 4.8 seconds
Range from about 205 miles all the way up to 304 miles Charging: estimated with 100 kw charger to 80% in either 35 or 40 minutes
Among some of the other reasons the Nissan Ariya is well regarded by critics are the Nissan Safety Shield® 360 driver assistance technology, Nissan ProPILOT Assist that allows hands-off freeway driving on some models, and available parking technologies to help with one of driving’s most-disliked tasks.
In addition, you can customize Ariya’s digital landscape, including gauges to suit your convenience; connect with Ariya voice control and home-to-vehicle connection; consult with voice-controlled Alexa Built-in and much more. This is all in Ariya’s lounge-like interior space, with diffused ANDON lighting, and sitting in zero-gravity seats. Nissan calls it “Your mobile sanctuary.” You can see it online or come in to Schomp Nissan and witness it up close and personal, which we recommend!
Ariya is full of good reasons to go electric. Colorado tax credits for purchasing an eligible EV like the Ariya, on top of estimated fuel savings make it even more attractive!
**How the State of Colorado Rewards Electric Vehicle Buyers and Lessees **
Most Coloradans wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to get or save as much as $5,000. It isn’t exactly chump change. That’s how much the State of Colorado is offering taxpayers if you purchase or lease a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or battery electric vehicle (BEV). That’s in addition to up to $7,500 federal tax credit offered under the Inflation Reduction Act. It’s all part of a push to get people out of dirtier greenhouse gas-emitting vehicles and into zero-emissions vehicles.
Basic Information
Of course, terms and conditions apply – some in the “Duh!” category, but others less obvious. Here’s some top line info:
Individual taxpayers, estates, trusts and C corporations may claim the credit on each PHEV or BEV they purchase/lease; partnerships or S corporation members may claim the credits.
Vehicles must be new at purchase/lease and titled and registered in Colorado. Used vehicles are not eligible.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) can’t exceed $80,000.
Lease agreements must initially be for at least two years and the credits go to lessees, not to lessors.
Vehicles must weigh 8,500 lbs. or less, have four wheels and be able to go at least 55 mph.
Vehicles must be powered “to a significant extent” by electric motors.
Batteries must have a capacity of at least 4 kWh and be capable of being recharged from external power sources.
Taxpayers who qualify for the credits and finance their PHEVs or BEVs can assign the credits at the time of purchase/lease to the financing entity; they won’t be able to subsequently claim the credits on their taxes. The financing entity can offer the buyers/lessees a cash payment, reduced price, reduced payments or other considerations. There’s More
Colorado has actually made tax credits available for several years – the amounts have varied by year. And additional tax credits are coming for some vehicles beginning in January 2024 through December 2029. These credits are specifically targeted at vehicles with an MSRP under $35,000.
While the information outlined here provides the basics, it’s very important to do your own research and perhaps consult a tax expert – we are not offering tax advice. The rules, spelled out in (almost) clear language – it’s the government, after all – are spelled out in this publication. You could also take a look at Drive Electric Colorado for more information.
Xcel Energy Rebates
In addition, Xcel Energy is offering some of its residential household customers rebates for buying or leasing pre-owned or new EVs.
Qualifying households must have incomes equal to or below 60% of Colorado’s median income.
Qualifying households must be enrolled in a state financial assistance program such as the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
Eligible EVs must be bought or leased from a Colorado auto dealership.
For more information, see the Xcel Energy EV Rebate website.
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