Nissan LEAF

In an effort to get LEAF lessees to outright buy the electric car at the end of the lease, Nissan is upping the ante even more - perhaps in anticipation of an expected longer range (30 kWh) 2016 Nissan LEAF changing residual values this fall?

If you recall, a few weeks back Nissan began offering 2012 and 2013 LEAF lessees a $5,000 credit towards the purchase of their leased LEAFs. Basically, Nissan Motor Acceptance Corporation (NMAC – the leasing/financing arm of Nissan) was knocking $5,000 off the buy-out price of the leased LEAF.

That $5,000 credit remains in place for some LEAF lessees, but there are even better deals offered for others. The new program announced by NMAC breaks down as follows:

2011 LEAF - $2,000 credit/discount off residual buy-out price

2012 LEAF - $7,000 credit/discount off residual buy-out price for 24-month lessees or $5,000 credit/discount off residual buy-out price for 36-month lessees.

2013 LEAF -$6,500 credit/discount off residual buy-out price for 24-month lessees or $5,000 credit/discount off residual buy-out price for 36-month lessees.

Like before, these deals are offered directly by NMAC, meaning there's no need to visit a dealer to negotiate the buy out. Simply call NMAC (Customer Service line - 1 800 456 6622 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time Zone) and a representative will walk you through the process.

If you're leasing an eligible LEAF right now, then it's easy to figure out your buy-out price. Look at the residual value on your lease paperwork. Subtract the appropriate amount offered as credit by NMAC. Add state sales tax to that amount and that's your buy-out price.