Common sense reminds us that when a deal sounds too good to be true, there’s probably a catch.
But in the case of 4CORE’s “group buy program” for electric vehicles (EV), there might not be one.
The Four Corners Office for Resource Efficiency is providing a way to make EVs a more practicable and affordable option for locals seeking an efficient new vehicle that will not spew exhaust emissions into our air.
From now until May 25, La Plata and Empire Electric Association members, Mercy Regional Medical Center staff, and 4CORE members can sign up for the purchase of an EV from Nissan of Durango. As part of the group purchase program, the dealer is offering a $10,000 rebate on the all-electric Leaf model, and there is a $5,000 state tax credit available on an EV purchase. During this program, buyers can assign that credit to the dealer in exchange for an additional $5,000 rebate, making the immediate rebate $15,000.
But, as they say on television, that’s not all. With a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 available on the purchase of an EV, a buyer can potentially save $22,500 on a car with a sticker price in the $35,000 range.
Kudos to 4CORE for making this deal possible.
Granted, EVs are not for everybody, at least not yet. A Nissan Leaf can deliver between 100 and 110 miles per full charge of its lithium-ion battery. That will work well for trips in and around Durango, but make longer trips more challenging if the only available charger is at home.
To its credit, 4CORE is working to install two free EV charging stations in town, one at LPEA in Bodo, and another at Mercy in Three Springs. That’s important news, and through efforts like this one, we will see more before long.
4CORE Executive Director Laurie Dickson said that the initial response to the program has been “Tremendous. We are going to have a whole fleet of Leafs right here in Durango.” Demos are taking place on April 29 and May 13. Visit fourcore.org/alternative-fuels/ for more information.
