American Electric Power customers can get a $10,000 rebate on the all-electric Nissan Leaf under a new incentive from the automaker.

The vehicle has a base price of $30,680 before the rebate. In addition, customers can get a federal tax incentive of up to $7,500.

Columbus-based AEP is not paying anything to receive the discount.

But there is some fine print. The promotion runs through the end of June, while supplies last. Customers need to prove that they are eligible by bringing an AEP bill to the dealer.

Leaf is not a big seller locally for Nissan, so there are only a few in stock today on dealer lots. If dealers run out of the model, they can try to get one from elsewhere in the country, or order more from the Nissan assembly plant that makes the Leaf, which is in Smyrna, Tennessee.

Last month, Nissan sold 1,063 of the Leaf in this country, which was less than 1 percent of its overall unit sales.

Considering that AEP has 1.5 million customers in Ohio, if even a few want to use the car discount, demand would have a good chance of exceeding supply.

AEP is one of several utilities whose customers are eligible for the incentive. Among the others is Duke Energy, which serves the Cincinnati area.

"The value of electric vehicles is exceptional when you consider the benefits," said Julie Sloat, president and chief operating officer of AEP Ohio, in a statement about the Nissan deal.

"Charging your car at home or work lets owners avoid the gas station, and all-electric vehicles are virtually maintenance-free. This type of offer can help get more people behind the wheel of all-electric vehicles."

AEP Ohio has taken a number of steps to encourage customers to buy electric vehicles. This includes a pending proposal to have 1,200 charging stations installed across the company's service territory.

dgearino@dispatch.com

@dangearino