Cherokee Nation, Nissan USA Announce Electric Vehicle Rebate for Cherokee Nation Citizens, Employees 

Cherokee Nation citizen Elizabeth Toombs and Nissan USA Electric Vehicle Business Development Manager Brian Zelis view a 2019 Nissan LEAF during the tribe’s electric vehicle ride and drive event Friday.

Published March 2, 2019

TULSA, Okla. — Cherokee Nation and Nissan USA representatives announced a limited time rebate for Cherokee Nation citizens and employees purchasing a Nissan LEAF.

The limited time rebate of $3,500 for Cherokee Nation citizens and employees plus the up to $7,500 in federal tax incentives could equal up to $11,000 in total savings for tribal citizens and employees purchasing a Nissan LEAF before the special rebate offer expires April 1.

The announcement was made Friday at a special electric vehicle ride and drive event the Cherokee Nation Office of the Secretary of Natural Resources hosted at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah.

“Protecting and preserving our environment and natural resources is a deeply rooted Cherokee value, and our commitment to upholding that value is as strong today as it was with our ancestors,” said Cherokee Nation Secretary of Natural Resources Sara Hill. “In recent years, the Cherokee Nation and its entities have made concentrated efforts to reduce our carbon emission while also advocating on the protection and preservation of our natural resources. We are thankful that Nissan USA recognizes the tribe’s commitment and is giving our tribal citizens and employees the opportunity to join the effort and tradition of being the good stewards of the environment that our ancestors were.”

To receive the Nissan LEAF rebate offer, individuals must present a participating Nissan dealer proof of current employment at Cherokee Nation or a copy of the person’s Cherokee Nation citizenship card, and also a copy of the special rebate flyer, available in the quick links section at www.cherokee.org.

The rebate offer is only available to Cherokee Nation citizens and employees living in one of the following states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The partnership between the Cherokee Nation and Nissan USA is another example of the tribe’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2017, the tribe celebrated the completion of the first tribal solar canopy car charging station built by a tribe in Oklahoma. The canopy, located at the W.W. Keeler Tribal Complex in Tahlequah, is capable of charging up to eight electric vehicles and provides about 58,000 kilowatt hours of electricity to the tribal complex each year. The Cherokee Nation now has three electric vehicles in the tribe’s fleet.

Cherokee Nation’s business arm, Cherokee Nation Businesses, brought the first super charging stations to northeast Oklahoma through a deal with Tesla Motors. The electric fueling stations located at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa can charge a vehicle in about 15 minutes. 

For more information on the Nissan LEAF rebate offer, contact Pat Gwin at 918-453-5000, ext. 5704.