Tesla jobs in Nevada only one-fifth of projected so far

(AP) — Electric car manufacturer Tesla Motor Co. hasn't hired as many workers for a giant northern Nevada manufacturing plant as it told state lawmakers it expected it would have by the end of this year, according to a consultant's tally.

The Grant Thornton audit said employment requirements for permanent employees and temporary construction workers had been met "without exception."

The report comes with the Nevada state employment office planning a Saturday job fair in Las Vegas with Panasonic Energy Corp. of North America to recruit employees willing to move to northern Nevada.

Legislation entitles Tesla to receive $195 million in transferrable tax credits that it can sell to other businesses as it meets specified performance levels.