Joining the rebates already available in states like California, Georgia and Oregon, Tennessee has now announced it will offer a $2,500 tax rebate to the first 1,000 EV buyers in the state.

The annoucement will be great news for residents with deposits down for the 2011 Nissan Leaf, Tennessee being one of the first states in which Nissan's electric car will be launched. Buyers will be able to combine the $2,500 rebate with the $7,500 federal credit already in place.

The federal tax credit requires you to owe $7,500 in taxes after your other standard deductions (the Tennessee rebate is a straight $2,500 regardless), but if you fall into this camp the combined incentives bring the cost of the Leaf down as low as $22,780.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt was not mentioned in the press release. This could be because the rebate does not extend to plug-in hybrids, but it could also be due to the government expecting Leaf owners to snap up the offer before the Volt goes on sale.

The 2011 Nissan Leaf goes on sale in Tennessee, California, Arizona, Washington and Oregon in December. If you have your name down on the list, make sure you're one of the first 1,000 buyers - "the early bird catches the worm".

[Kicking Tires]