SMYRNA, Tenn. (AP) - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told a group of Nissan executives and workers that the Obama administration wants consumers to be able to get a tax rebate at dealerships when they buy electric cars.
He made the remarks on Tuesday during a tour of Nissan North America Inc.'s lithium-ion battery plant in Smyrna. The plant should be complete in late 2012 and will be able to produce 200,000 batteries a year for the all-electric Nissan Leaf.
The federal government currently offers a $7,500 tax credit on the purchase of electric vehicles, but that can't be taken until buyers file their income taxes.
LaHood said he expects the change to be a part of any tax bill that is passed in the next year and a half.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
