Canadian Province to Become Used Nissan Leaf Dumping Ground

The Nissan Leaf, which burst onto the scene in late 2010 as one of the first mass-market electric vehicles, hasn’t changed much since its introduction. Until very recently, driving range sat well below the three-figure mark. And as its technological edge dulled, the Leaf gained a reputation as one of the fastest-depreciating vehicles on the market.

If you find yourself living in a certain jurisdiction, Nissan and a mid-level government has now made a purchase of a used Leaf far more attractive than it once was. Message to the U.S. and the rest of Canada: Quebec wants your old Leafs.

Starting late last week, Nissan began offering certified, pre-owned Leafs in Quebec with a $4,000 (CAD) government incentive on the hood — part of the provincial government’s Drive Electric program. Quebec wants its tally of EVs and plug-in hybrids to reach 100,000 vehicles by 2020.

“This marks the first time Canadians have the option of owning a previously owned fully-electric vehicle, while still benefitting from a provincial incentive,” the automaker said in a statement.

The sale and lease offer applies to 2013 and 2014 model year Leafs previously registered outside the province, including in the United States. For American models, Nissan will perform modifications to equip it for Canadian driving regulations and weather. Among the additions are daytime running lights, a larger washer fluid tank, metric gauge cluster, battery heater, heated front and rear seats, heated side mirrors, and a backup camera. A quick-charge port will allow owners to access Level 3 DC fast-charging outlets.

The requirement for prior non-Quebec registration draws from the province’s $8,000 subsidy for new EVs. As eager as it is to boost its green credentials, the government doesn’t want to incentivize the same car twice.

For its part, Nissan’s Canadian finance division will offer customers a 3.99-percent lease rate or a low-interest (1.99 percent) loan, while slapping the old Leafs with a limited three-year or 40,000-kilometer manufacturer warranty.

Government aside, Quebec remains an attractive locale for electric car proliferation. Mainly, this is due to its low electricity prices and high gasoline prices. Because half of its population lives in the Greater Montreal Area, the Leaf’s paltry 84-mile range might not be as large a red flag as in other areas. That’s assuming, of course, that the added kit doesn’t cancel out the financial incentive to buy one.

[Image: Nissan]