"Is Nissan's Leaf Falling on Mexico in 2011? Country Promises EV Incentives" Green Car Advisor

Is Nissan's Leaf Falling on Mexico in 2011? Country Promises EV Incentives

Nissan may be going global with the Leaf electric car sooner than planned.

The initial launch of the worlds first modern mass-produce EV was to be held on a limited basis in Japan and the U.S. next year, with global sales to follow in 2012, when the Leaf would be joined by several other new EVs Nissan is developing.

But now it looks as though Mexico might get its first Leafs in 2011.

Dow Jones International News, citing Nissan Executive Vice President - and head of the Americas operations - Carlos Tavares as its source, said Nissan has won a promise from the Mexican government to provide financial incentives for EVs in 2011 and to launch a study of the feasibility of developing a battery charging infrastructure.

Tavares said the Mexican agreement is one of 30 Nissan has signed around the world.

Such pacts, especially those calling for government assistance with installation of public charging stations, are necessary parts of the Leaf marketing campaign, especially in countries where private garages with electrical supply for hooking up personal EV chargers are a luxury reserved for the very wealthy and/or politically powerful.