Tesla Motors (TSLA), manufacturer of the only highway-capable electric performance vehicle, the Tesla Roadster, announced that the Roadster has been approved for the Japanese government’s Clean Energy Cash Rebate Program.
The Clean Energy Cash Rebate Program is aimed at promoting the accelerated adoption of electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids. The Tesla Roadster is only the second standard-sized car, following the plug-in Prius by Toyota, to qualify. It is also the only qualified import vehicle. Each Tesla Roadster buyer is eligible to receive a cash rebate of up to 3.24 million yen, approximately $38,000 US at current exchange rates.
The handmade, carbon fiber Roadster is the only car that delivers supercar performance with zero tailpipe emissions. It accelerates from 0-100km in less than four seconds – faster than most sports cars – yet consumes no petroleum. The Roadster plugs into any conventional socket and can travel over 394 kilometers on a single charge. It is the only sports car in the world that can be charged with solar, hydro or wind energy.
Palo Alto, CA-based Tesla designs and manufactures EVs and EV powertrain components. It has delivered more than 1200 Roadsters to customers in North America, Europe and Asia. Tesla’s goal is to produce increasingly affordable electric cars for mainstream buyers – relentlessly driving down the cost of EVs. It is currently the only automaker in the U.S. that builds and sells highway-capable EVs in serial production.
Tesla entered Japan in May of this year, and has begun deliveries of its Signature Series Roadsters to pioneer customers. The base Roadster, which starts at 12.8 million yen, including tax but before the Cash Rebate, is available for custom orders immediately.