Quebec incentives cover used Nissan Leafs, including U.S. ones

MONTREAL -- Used Nissan Leafs from the U.S. could migrate north to take advantage of an incentive program offered by Canada's Quebec province and embraced by Nissan North America.

Nissan is launching a program to sell or lease quality-assured, used Leaf electric vehicles in Quebec, which will qualify for the province's Drive Electric incentive program.

"This marks the first time Canadians have the option of owning a previously owned fully-electric vehicle while still benefiting from a provincial incentive," Nissan Canada said in a news release.

To qualify for the C$4,000 incentive ($3,000 U.S.), pre-owned Leafs must be from the 2013 or 2014 model years and have been previously registered outside Quebec -- to avoid incentive double-dipping, said Didier Marsaud, spokesman.

The Nissan program will include U.S. Leafs, which will be modified to meet Canadian regulations, including OEM daytime running lights, metric instruments, winter package and a Quick Charge port to accept Level 3 DC charging.

Quebec this year launched a pilot program offering up to C$4,000 ($3,000 U.S.) for eligible used all-electric vehicles, part of its Drive Electric program to have 100,000 electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles on provincial roads by 2020.

Nissan is also offering low-interest loan and leasing as part of its program.