Tesla Roadster qualifies for Japan EV rebates

TOKYO, Sept 1 (Reuters) - U.S. electric car startup Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA.O) said it has qualified for the Japanese government's clean energy cash rebate programme, knocking off up to 3.24 million yen ($38,490) from the price of its Roadster.

The zero-emission sports car, which can accelerate from 0 to 100 km per hour (62 miles per hour) in less than four seconds, costs more than 12.8 million yen ($152,100) in Japan. Mitsubishi Motors Corp's (7211.T) i-MiEV electric car, by comparison, costs 2.84 million yen after government subsidies.

Tesla, which tied up with Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) this year to cooperate on the development of electric vehicles, has been selling the Roadster in Japan since May, taking orders through its website. Tesla is scheduled to open a showroom in the world's third-biggest car market by the end of this year.

A spokeswoman said Tesla does not disclose the number of cars sold by market. The Roadster has sold more than 1,200 globally, she said. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Chris Gallagher)