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As sales of electric vehicles continue to surge, many new and prospective customers have questions about qualifying for federal tax credit on electric vehicles, especially now that a slew of new credits have been reinstated to US consumers.

Whether you qualify is not a simple yes or no question… well, actually it sort of is, but the amount you may qualify for varies by household due to a number of different factors. Furthermore, there are other potential savings available to you that you might not even know about yet.

Luckily, we have compiled everything you need to know about tax credits for your new or current electric vehicle into one place. The goal is to help ensure you are receiving the maximum value on your carbon-conscious investment because, let’s face it, you’ve gone green and you deserve it.

Table of contents

How does a federal tax credit work for my EV?

The idea in theory is quite simple — “All electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles that were purchased new in or after 2010 may be eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500,” according to the US Department of Energy.

With that said, you cannot simply go out and buy an electric vehicle and expect Uncle Sam to cut $7,500 off your taxes in April. In reality, the amount you qualify for is based on both your income tax as well as the size of the electric battery in the vehicle you own.

Now, thanks to the freshly inked Inflation Reduction Act, there are a lot more parameters to be mindful of, like the requirement that the EV must be assembled in North America for instance. We have dug into those new terms more below.

To begin, here’s how the Federal EV tax credit currently works.

electric vehicle tax credit

How much is the federal tax credit?

First and foremost, it’s important to understand three little words the government slips in front of the $7,500 credit – “may” and “up to.” As in, you may qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax credit for your electric vehicle. At first glance, this credit may sound like a simple flat rate, but that is unfortunately not the case.

For example, if you purchased a Ford F-150 Lightning and owed say, $3,500 in income tax this year, then that is the federal tax credit you would receive. If you owed $10,000 in federal income tax, then you would qualify for the full $7,500 credit.

It’s important to note that any unused portion of the $7,500 is not available as a refund, nor as a credit for next year’s taxes. Bummer.

However, under new terms of the tax deal, you may be able to snag that credit up front at the point of sale of your EV. More on that below.

Ford-F-150 Lightning-price

The Biden administration continues to expand EV adoption

President Biden first vowed to make the nation’s entire federal fleet all-electric. The White House has introduced two bills to expand EV adoption, one of which was signed by the President and includes funding for heavily expanded EV charging infrastructure.

Previously, there were rumors that the federal tax credit would be increased to $10,000. In President Biden’s previous $174 billion investment plan for electrification, the tax credit was quickly mentioned as a reform. However, the summary remained vague about the reform – only confirming that it will not only take the form of tax rebates but also “point of sale rebates” and it will now be for “American-made EVs.”

The second and larger bill sat within Biden’s “Build Back Better Act” and subsequent increases to the federal tax credit, but it couldn’t get past the Senate in late 2021. At that point, the revamped tax credit we all have sought was in limbo, possibly DOA. Until this past summer…

Revived EV federal tax credits were officially signed by POTUS

In late July 2022 the US Senate shared it was moving forward to vote on EV tax credit reform after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) took a break from huffing coal to finally agree to include investments to curb climate change.

One of the most prominent parts of the bill (to us) includes the long-awaited and fought over electric vehicle tax credit reform. In this iteration of the bill, access to the tax credit will be returned to those who have already exhausted the threshold, including Tesla and GM vehicles.

On August 7, 2022 it was approved by the Senate and a week later signed into law by President Biden.

The biggest issue we all are having with the Inflation Reduction act, is how cloudy and confusing its EV requirements are. Bear with us as we sort through it all, to once again provide you with the most up to date details of this ever evolving tale.

We have learned that the reform bill will also apply to EVs delivered after December 31, 2022. Here’s a breakdown of the terms of the new Inflation Reduction Act.

New Federal Tax Credits under the Inflation Reduction Act

  • Federal tax credit for EVs will remain at $7,500
    • Timeline to qualify is extended a decade from January 2023 to December 2032
  • Tax credit cap for automakers after they hit 200,000 EVs sold is eliminated, making GM, Tesla and Toyota once again eligible
  • The language in the bill indicates that the tax credit could be implemented at the point of sale instead of on taxes at the end of the fiscal year
    • That means you can get your credit up front at the dealer, but these terms may not kick in until 2024
    • In order to get the full credit, the EV must be assembled in North America and…
    • The majority of battery components need to come from North America and…
    • A certain percentage of “critical minerals” must come form North America or countries with free trade agreements with the US
  • New federal tax credit of $4,000 for used EVs priced below $25k
    • Subject to other requirements like lower annual income (see below)
  • Revised credit applies to BEV cars with an MSRP below $55k
  • Also includes zero-emission vans, SUVs, and trucks with MSRPs up to $80,000
  • New credit also expands to commercial fleet customers
    • Includes separate qualifications and limits
  • The federal EV tax credit will be available to individuals reporting adjusted gross incomes of $150,000 or less, or $300,000 for joint filers
  • The new credit will also continue to apply to Plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEVs) as long as they meet the same requirements outlined above and are equipped with a battery over 7 kWh.

Here are more detailed terms of the tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act, detailed by lawyer, Chris Stidham:

Revamped Credit for new BEV/PHEVs

  1. Manufacturer caps eliminated. (Page 370, line 15)
  2. Credit applies for vehicles purchased beginning January 1, 2023. (Page 386, line 1)
  3. Transition provision for EVs with written sales orders dated in 2022 prior to the date of President signing the bill but delivered in 2023 allows purchaser to claim the “old” credit in 2023. (Page 386, line 20)
  4. Vehicle must be assembled in North America to qualify for new credit. (Page 366, line 15)
  5. North American assembly requirement applies to vehicles sold after the date of adoption of the bill. (Page 386, line 3)
  6. $7,500 credit is broke into two binary pieces meaning the vehicle either qualifies for each piece of the credit or it doesn’t. No longer based on size of battery. (Page 366, line 6)
  7. $3,750 of the new credit is based upon the vehicle having at least 40% of its battery critical minerals from the United States or countries with a free trade agreement with the United States. This is a list of countries with free trade agreements with the US. (Page 371)
  8. The other $3,750 of the new credit is based on at least 50% of the battery components of the vehicle coming from the United States or countries with a free trade agreement with the US. (Page 372, line 13)
  9. The 40% minerals requirement increases to 50% in 2024, 60% in 2025, 70% in 2026 and 80% in 2027. (page 371 line 23)
  10. The 50% battery components requirement increases to 60% in 2024, 70% in 2026, 80% in 2027, 90% in 2028 and 100% in 2029. (Page line 373)
  11. The government has until the end of the year to develop guidance on the battery requirements. (Page 374)
  12. Beginning in 2025, any vehicle with battery minerals or components from a foreign entity of concern are excluded from the tax credit. (Page 374, line 20).
  13. One credit per vehicle. (Page 375, line 12)
  14. Modified gross income limit of $150k for individuals, $225k for head of household, and $300k for joint returns. Definition of MAGI (page 375, line 22)
  15. MSRP of vehicle must be $80k or less for SUVs, Vans and Trucks. $55k for all other vehicles. (Page 377, line 4)
  16. Dealer can apply credit at time of sale. Dealer must disclose to buyer the MSRP of the vehicle, the applicable tax credit amount and the amount of any other available incentive applicable to the purchase. (Page 378, line 6)
  17. Credit terminates December 31, 2032.

Revamped Used Vehicle Credit

  1. Tax credit of 30% of value of used EV with $4,000 cap (Page 387, line 23).
  2. Used vehicle must be at least two model years old at time of sale. (Page 389, line 7).
  3. The original use of the vehicle must have occurred with an individual other than the one claiming the used tax credit. (Page 389, line 10).
  4. Used vehicle must be purchased from a dealer. (Page 390, line 3).
  5. Used vehicle price must be $25k or less. (Page 390, line 5).
  6. Used vehicle qualifies for tax credit only once in its lifetime. (Page 390, line 7)
  7. Purchaser must be an individual (no businesses) to qualify for used credit. (Page 390, line 14).
  8. Purchaser may only claim one used vehicle credit per three years. (Page 390, line 20).
  9. Modified gross income cap of $75k for individuals, $112,500 for head of household and $150k for joint returns. (Page 388).
  10. Credit may be applied at time of sale by dealer. (Page 391, line 15).
  11. Credit terminates on December 31, 2032. (Page 391, line 12).

What are the current electric vehicle credits before the terms change?

As you’ll see from the rather barren list below of EVs that might qualify under the new terms of the Inflation Reduction Act, a majority of EVs currently available for credits to US consumers will soon no longer qualify.

That isn’t to say they won’t be back on in the yes column come January 1, 2023 since many of these automakers do have North American production facilities. Other EVs like Rivian models for example are American made, but some are priced above the $80k threshold for trucks.

Fisker has been long touting is flagship Ocean SUV as an EV priced below $30k for those who qualify for the entire $7,500 credit. However, under the new terms, the Austrian built SUV will qualify for zero federal credits. That being said, its current MSRP of $37,499 is still pretty enticing, but this is a major blow to its marketing strategy to the point that the American automaker is now considering adding US production for the Ocean.

The quick workaround that felt like a mad scramble was some verbiage allowing for “written binding contracts” under a “transition rule” in the Inflation Reduction Act. That rule allowed consumers to still qualify if they signed the binding contract before the date of bill being signed into law, even if the car is delivered after the bill is signed. This is covered on page 393-394 of the bill.

Since the bill has been signed into law, this quick workaround is no longer possible. We’ve put together a full breakdown of where those tax credits stand for EV automakers not currently assembling in the North America.

Vehicles purchased and delivered between August 16 and December 31, 2022

Following the official signing of the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has included the following transition rule for those who already had an EV on the way but are wondering if they still qualify before the new credit terms kick in. In certain circumstances, the answer is yes. Per the IRS page:

If you purchase and take possession of a qualifying electric vehicle after August 16, 2022 and before January 1, 2023, aside from the final assembly requirement, the rules in effect before the enactment of the Inflation Reduction Act for the EV credit apply (including those involving the manufacturing caps on vehicles sold).

Fisker Ocean 2022
The upcoming Fisker Ocean, starting at an MSRP of $37,499 / Source: Fisker Inc.

What electric vehicles could qualify under the latest tax credit?

Alright, this is probably the main reason why you’re here. If you scrolled through the details above, you may want to consider going back and at least skimming, because there are some major changes to federal tax credits to electric vehicles under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Under the terms mentioned above, these are the EVs that could qualify for the full $7,500 credit beginning January 1, 2023.

Please note that the list below features EVs assembled in North America and comes directly from fueleconomy.gov who, like all of us is still figuring out which EVs will actually qualify. Bear with us and trust we will keep this list updated often.

All-electric vehicles

Make and Model Full Tax Credit
CADILLAC (GM) (would not qualify until 1/1/23)
Lyriq (2023) $,7500
CHEVROLET (GM) (would not qualify until 1/1/23)
Bolt EUV (2022) $7,500
Bolt EV (2022-2023) $7,500
FORD
F-150 Lightning (2022) (Pro, XLT, and Lariat trims) $7,500
Mustang Mach-E (2022) $7,500
E-Transit (2022) $7,500
NISSAN
LEAF (2022-2023) $7,500
RIVIAN
EDV 700 (2022) $7,500
R1T (2022) (Dual Motor Adventure only) $7,500
R1S (2022) (Dual Motor Adventure only) $7,500
TESLA (would not qualify until 1/1/23)
Model 3 (2022) $7,500
Model Y (2022) $7,500
Current as of 9/3/22
GM EV production
Hummer EV off road Source: GMC

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Make and Model Full Tax Credit
AUDI
Q5 (2022) $7,500
BMW
330e (2022-2023) $7,500
X5 xDrive45e (2022) $7,500
CHRYSLER
Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid (2022) $7,500
FORD
Escape Plug-in Hybrid (2022) $7,500
JEEP
Grand Cherokee PHEV (2022) $7,500
Wrangler Unlimited PHEV (2022) $7,500
LINCOLN
Aviator PHEV (2022) $7,500
Corsair Plug-in Hybrid (2022) $7,500
VOLVO
S60 (2022) $7,500
Current as of 9/3/22

What electric vehicles qualify under the current tax credit?

Although the credits above should be the focus going forward, we wanted to keep the previous credit details below. Less of a trip down memory lane, but more of a list of what EVs previously qualified, so you can gather how many will be lost under upcoming terms.

As we previously mentioned however, some of these EVs could eventually once again qualify, as automakers pivot to bring their assembly to North America.

All-electric vehicles

Make and Model Full Tax Credit
AUDI
e-tron Sportback (2020-2022) $7,500
e-tron SUV (2019, 2021-2022) $7,500
e-tron GT / RS e-tron GT (2022) $7,500
e-tron S (Standard and Sportback) $7,500
Q4 50 e-tron Quattro $7,500
BMW
i3 Sedan (2014-2021) $7,500
i3s (2018-2021) $7,500
i4 eDrive40/M50 Gran Coupe (2022) $7,500
iX xDrive50/M60 (2022) $7,500
BYD
e6 (2012-2017) $7,500
ELECTRIC LAST MILE SOLUTIONS (ELMS)
ELMS Urban Delivery (2022) $7,500
FIAT
500e (2013-2019) $7,500
FORD
Focus EV (2012-2018) $7,500
Mustang Mach-E (all 2021/2022 trims including GT) $7,500
E-Transit (2022) $7,500
F-150 Lightning (standard/extended range) (2022) $7,500
GENERAL MOTORS (GM)
Not currently eligible for tax credits –––––
GENESIS
GV60 (2023) $7,500
HYUNDAI
Ioniq Electric (2017-2021) $7,500
Ioniq 5 (2022) $7,500
Kona Electric (2019-2022) $7,500
JAGUAR
I-Pace (2019-2022) $7,500
I-Pace HSE (2022-2023) $7,500
KANDI
EX3 (2019-2021) $7,500
K22 (2019-2020) $7,500
K23 (2020-2022) $7,500
K27 (2020-2022) $7,500
KIA
Niro EV (2019-2022) $7,500
Soul Electric (2015-2020) $7,500
EV6 (58 kWh, 77.4 kWh) (2022) $7,500
LUCID MOTORS
Lucid Air Dream Edition (2022) $7,500
Lucid Air Grand Touring (2022) $7,500
MAZDA
MX-30 (2022) $7,500
MERCEDES-BENZ
AMG EQS (2022) $7,500
EQS 450+ (2022) $7,500
EQS 580 4matic (2022) $7,500
B-Class EV (2014-2017) $7,500
MINI
Cooper S E Hardtop 2 & 4 Door (2020-2023) $7,500
MITSUBISHI
i-MiEV (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017) $7,500
NISSAN
LEAF (2011-2022) $7,500
POLESTAR
Polestar 2 (2021) $7,500
Polestar 2 Long Range – Single & Dual Motor (2022) $7,500
PORSCHE
Taycan (2020-2022) (all trims) $7,500
RIVIAN
R1T (2022) $7,500
R1S (2022) $7,500
EDV 700 (2022) $7,500
SMART USA
EQ fortwo Coupe (2019) $7,500
EQ fortwo Cabrio (2019) $7,500
SUBARU
Solterra (2023) $7,500
TESLA
Not currently eligible for tax credits –––––
TOYOTA
Toyotas purchased after 9/30/23 are no longer eligible for tax credits –––––
RAV4 EV (2012-2014) $7,500
VOLKSWAGEN
e-Golf (2015-2019) $7,500
ID.4 EV (First/Pro/Pro S) (2021) $7,500
VOLVO
C40 Recharge Pure Electric (2022) $7,500
XC40 Recharge Pure Electric (2021-2022) $7,500
Last Update 8/17/2022
electric vehicle tax credit
The 2023 Subaru Solterra

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)

The US Department of Energy offers the full detailed list on its website.

Make and Model Full Tax Credit
AUDI
A3 e-tron / e-tron ultra (2016-2018) $4,502
A7 55 TFSI e Quattro (2021) $6,712
A7 TFSI e Quattro (2022) $7,500
A8L PHEV (2020) $6,712
A8L 60 TFSI e Quattro (2021) $6,712
Q5 PHEV (2020) $6,712
Q5 55 TFSI e Quattro (2021) $6,712
Q5 TFSI e Quattro (2022) $7,500
BENTLEY
Bentayga Hybrid (2020-2021) $7,500
BMW
i3 Sedan w/ Range Extender (2014-2021) $7,500
i3s w/ Range Extender (2018-2021) $7,500
BMW i8 (2014-2017) $3,793
i8 Coupe/Roadster (2018-2020) $5,669
X3 xDrive30e (2020-2021) $5,836
X5 xDrive40e (2016-2018) $4,668
X5 xDrive45e (2021-2022) $7,500
330e (2016-2018) $4,001
330e/330e xDrive (2021-2022) $5,836
530e/530e xDrive (2018-2019) $4,668
530e/530e xDrive (2020-2022) $5,836
740e (2017) $4,668
740e xDrive (2018-2019) $4,668
745e xDrive (2020-2022) $5,836
CHRYSLER
Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid (2017-2022) $7,500
FERRARI
SF90 Stradale (2020-2021) $3,501
FISKER AUTOMOTIVE
Karma Sedan (2012) $7,500
FORD
C-Max Energi (2013-2017) $4,007
Fusion Energi (2013-2018) $4,007
Fusion Energi (2019-2020) $4,609
Escape Plug-in Hybrid (2020-2022) $6,843
GENERAL MOTORS (GM)
Not currently eligible for tax credits –––––
HONDA
Accord Plug-in Hybrid (2014) $3,626
Clarity Plug-in Hybrid (2018-2021) $7,500
HYUNDAI
Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid (2018-2022) $4,543
Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (2016-2019) $4,919
Tucson Plug-in Hybrid (2022) $6,587
Santa Fe Plug-in Hybrid (2022) $6,587
JEEP
Grand Cherokee PHEV (2022) $7,500
Wrangler Unlimited PHEV (2021-2022) $7,500
KARMA
Revero (2018-2020) $7,500
KIA
Niro Plug-in Hybrid (2018-2022) $4,543
Optima Plug-in Hybrid (2017-2020) $4,919
Sorento Plug-in Hybrid (2022) $6,587
LAND ROVER
Range Rover/Sport PHEV (2019) $7,087
Range Rover/Sport PHEV (2020-2022) $6,295
Range Rover SE PHEV (2023) $7,500
Rover Range Rover Sport Autobiography PHEV (2023) $7,500
LEXUS
Lexus’ purchased after 9/30/23 are no longer eligible for tax credits –––––
NX Plug-in Hybrid (2022) $7,500
LINCOLN
Aviator Grand Touring (2020-2022) $6,534
Corsair Reserve Grand Touring PHEV (2021-2022) $6,843
Corsair Grand Touring PHEV (2022) $6,843
McLAREN
Artura (2022) $4,585
MERCEDES-BENZ
S550e Plug-in Hybrid (2015-2017) $4,460
GLE550e 4matic (2016-2018) $4,460
GLC350e 4matic (2018-2019) $4,460
GLC350e 4M EQ (2020) $6,462
S560e EQ PHEV (2020) $6,462
C350e (2016-2018) $3,501
MINI
Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 (2018-2019) $4,001
Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 (2020-2022) $5,002
MITSUBISHI
Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in (2018-2020) $5,836
Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in (2021-2022) $6,587
POLESTAR
Polestar 1 (2020-2021) $7,500
PORSCHE
Cayenne S E-Hybrid (2015-2018) $5,336
Cayenne E-Hybrid / Coupe (2019-2020) $6,712
Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid / Coupe (2021) $7,500
Cayenne E-Hybrid / Coupe (2021-2022) $7,500
Panamera S E-Hybrid (2014-2016) $4,752
Panamera 4 E-Hybrid (2018) $6,670
Panamera 4 E-Hybrid (2019-2020) $6,712
Panamera 4 E-Hybrid (2021-2022) $7,500
SUBARU
Crosstrek Hybrid (2019-2022) $4,502
TESLA
Not currently eligible for tax credits –––––
TOYOTA
Toyotas purchased after 9/30/23 are no longer eligible for tax credits –––––
Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2012-2015) $2,500
Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid (2017-2022) $4,502
RAV4 Prime Plug-in Hybrid (2021-2022) $7,500
VOLVO
S60 (2019) $5,002
S60 (2020-2022) $5,419
S60 Extended Range (2022) $7,500
S90 (2018-2019) $5,002
S90 (2020-2022) $5,419
S90 Extended Range (2022) $7,500
V60 (2020-2022) $5,419
V60 Extended Range (2022) $7,500
XC60 (2018-2019) $5,002
XC60 (2020-2022) $5,419
XC60 Extended Range (2022) $7,500
XC90 (2016-2017) $4,585
XC90 / XC90 Excellence (2018-2019) $5,002
XC90 (2020-2022) $5,419
XC90 Extended Range (2022) $7,500
Last Update 8/17/2022

Other tax credits available for electric vehicle owners

So now you should know if your vehicle does in fact qualify for a federal tax credit, and how much you might be able to save.

Find out where an EV is assembled using its VIN

The US Department of Energy offers a VIN decoder tool to confirm where a given EV is assembled. Check it out here.

Check out our complete breakdown of state tax incentives, sorted by state

In additional to any federal credit you may or may not qualify for, there are a number of clean transportation laws, regulations, and funding opportunities available at the state level.

For example, in the state of California, drivers can qualify for a $2,000-$4,500 rebate or a grant up to $5,000 under the Clean Vehicle Assistance Program on top of any federal credit received (all rebate and grant amounts are based on income). Furthermore, states like California offer priority driving lanes and parking spots for EV drivers who qualify.

In New York, residents can receive either a $500 or $2,000 rebate depending on the base price of the EV purchased. Again, these incentives vary by state, and much like the federal tax credit, are contingent on multiple factors.

Want to learn more? Of course you do! Luckily, we’ve compiled each and every state rebate, tax credit, and exemption for you and sorted it by state. Whether its a purchase or lease of a new or used
EV, or the purchase and/or installation of an EV charger, you could get money back, depending where you live.
Here are all those tax credits, rebates, and exemptions, sorted by state.

electric vehicle tax credit
Source: Fueleconomy.gov

Tax incentives on electric vehicles are worth the research

Hopefully this post has helped to incentivize you to use the resources above to your advantage.

Whether it’s calculating potential savings or rebates before making a new EV purchase or determining what tax credits might already be available to you for your current electric vehicle, there is much to discover.

Ditching fossil fuels for greener roadways should already feel rewarding, but right now the government is willing to reward you further for your environmental efforts.

Use it to your full capability while you can, because as more and more people start going electric, the less the government will need to reward drivers.

Electric Vehicle (EV) tax credit FAQ

How does the EV tax credit work?

At the federal level, the tax credits for EVs (electric cars, vans, trucks, etc) operates as money back at the end of the fiscal year you purchased or leased your vehicles based on a number of factors.

The awarded credit is up to $7,500 per vehicle, but how much you may get back will depend on the your annual income, whether you are filing with someone else like a spouse, and what electric vehicle you purchased.

For example, if you purchased a Ford Mustang Mach-E and owed $3,500 in income tax this year, then that is the federal tax credit you would receive. If you owed $10,000 in federal income tax, then you could qualify for the full $7,500 credit.

It’s important to note that any unused portion of the $7,500 is not available as a refund, nor as a credit for next year’s taxes.

You may also be able to receive money back right away as a point of sale credit, but those terms probably won’t kick in until 2024 at the earliest.

What electric vehicles qualify for tax credits?

As things currently stand, there is a lot up in the air right now. The second list above details all of the electric vehicles that previously qualified before the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act this past August outlining new qualifying terms for automakers.

Some of the electric vehicles still qualify for tax credits if they are purchased and delivered before the end of 2022. Click here to learn more.

What electric vehicles qualify for the new tax credits starting in 2023?

This answer is even less clear than the one above. As previously mentioned, qualifying terms for electric vehicle will become more strict beginning in 2023, and EVs and their battery components must be assembled in North America to qualify.

When the revised tax credit terms kick on January 1, 2023, very few electric vehicles will likely qualify, but as time goes on, more and more automakers will adapt their production strategies to operate within North America and start selling vehicles that qualify.

American companies like Ford and GM should qualify to some extent to begin, but others will follow. We will continually update the list above as we learn more.

Do hybrids qualify for tax credits?

Excellent question. Since traditional hybrid vehicles rely primarily on combustion and do not use a plug to charge, they do not qualify for tax credits at the federal level. Credits apply to plug-in electric vehicles which includes plug-in hybrid EVs and battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Do used electric cars qualify for federal tax credits?

Soon! Under revised terms in the inflation reduction act. Used EVs will now qualify in addition to new vehicles as previously stated.

Starting January 1, 2023 qualifying used EVs priced below $25,000 can qualify for up to $4,000 in federal tax credits. There are some terms to note however:
– Used vehicle qualifies for tax credit only once in its lifetime.
– Purchaser must be an individual (no businesses) to qualify for the used vehicle credit.
– Purchaser may only claim one used vehicle credit per three years.
– Tax credit is 30% of value of used EV up to $4,000
– Used vehicle must be at least two model years old at time of sale.
– The original use of the vehicle must have occurred with an individual other than the one claiming the used tax credit.
– Used vehicle must be purchased from a dealer.
– Gross income cap of $75k for individuals, $112,500 for head of household and $150k for joint returns.
– Credit may be applied at time of sale by dealer

Are there price caps for electric vehicles to qualify for tax credits?

Right now, no. But starting January 1, 2023, yes.
Under the new terms in the Inflation reduction act, the MSRP of electric vehicle must be $80,000 or less for SUVs, vans, and trucks. MSRPs for all other vehicles must be $55,000 or less.

What are the income limits to qualify for any federal EV tax credits?

Starting January 1, 2023, modified gross income limits will be $150,000 for individuals, $225,000 for head of household, and $300,000 for joint returns. Any reported annual income below these thresholds should qualify you for some level of tax credit, as long as your new purchase is a qualifying electric vehicle.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.


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Quad-motor Rivian debuts, Lucid kills range anxiety, and no, EV sales aren't down

On today’s exciting episode of Quick Charge, we don’t even mention “you know who,” focusing instead on EV news from Rivian, Lucid, Nissan, Ford, and what it takes to make a MAN in the heavy truck space. Check it out!

Sure, Nissan is pushing back production estimates on its yet-to-begin-production Nissan LEAF and Ford’s EV sales were down significantly in Q2, but there’s more to the story than the “Faux News” crowd would have you believe. Plus: some new electric success stories from Porsche and a disappointing (but still cool) dive into some new home backup battery tech.

Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyTuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players.

New episodes of Quick Charge are recorded, usually, Monday through Thursday (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage daily news.

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Drop us a line at tips@electrek.co. You can also rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, or recommend us in Overcast to help more people discover the show.


he 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

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EVs are 73% cleaner than gas cars – even with battery production

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EVs are 73% cleaner than gas cars – even with battery production

Battery electric cars sold today in Europe produce 73% less life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions than gas cars, even when factoring in production, according to new research from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). That’s a big improvement from 2021, when the gap was 59%.

Meanwhile, hybrids and plug-in hybrids haven’t made much progress. The study confirms what clean transportation advocates have been saying for years: If Europe wants to seriously slash emissions from its dirtiest mode of transport – ICE passenger cars, which pump out nearly 75% of the sector’s pollution – it needs to go all-in on battery EVs.

“Battery electric cars in Europe are getting cleaner faster than we expected and outperform all other technologies, including hybrids and plug-in hybrids,” said ICCT researcher Dr. Marta Negri. Credit the continent’s rapid shift to renewables and the higher energy efficiency of EVs.

The makeup of the EU’s power grid is changing fast. By 2025, renewables are expected to generate 56% of Europe’s electricity, up from 38% in 2020. And that’s just the beginning: the share could hit 86% by 2045. Since cars bought today could still be on the road two decades from now, the growing use of clean electricity will only boost EVs’ climate benefits over time.

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Gas-powered cars, on the other hand, will stay mostly tied to fossil fuels as the cost and availability of biofuels and e-fuels are still uncertain.

Hybrids and plug-in hybrids only cut lifetime emissions by 20% and 30%, respectively, compared to gas cars. That’s partly because plug-in hybrids tend to run on gas more than expected. So while hybrids aren’t useless, they’re just not good enough if we’re serious about climate goals.

Countering EV myths with hard data

There’s been a lot of noise lately about whether EVs are really that green. The ICCT study takes aim at the bad data and misleading claims floating around, like ignoring how the grid gets cleaner over time or using unrealistic gas mileage figures.

It’s true that manufacturing EVs creates more emissions upfront – about 40% more than making a gas car, mostly due to the battery. But EVs make up for it quickly: that extra emissions load is usually wiped out after about 17,000 km (10,563 miles) of driving, which most drivers hit in a year or two.

“We’ve recently seen auto industry leaders misrepresenting the emissions math on hybrids,” said Dr. Georg Bieker, senior researcher at the ICCT. “But life-cycle analysis is not a choose-your-own-adventure exercise.”

ICCT’s new analysis includes emissions from vehicle and battery production and recycling, fuel and electricity production, and fuel consumption and maintenance. It even adjusts for how the electricity mix will change in the coming years – a key detail when measuring plug-in hybrid performance.

Read more: Volkswagen’s 47% BEV sales jump includes a 24% boost in the US


The 30% federal solar tax credit is ending this year. If you’ve ever considered going solar, now’s the time to act. To make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. It has hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20-30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use, and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them. 

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Here’s our closest look at the Kia EV2 caught testing in the Alps [Video]

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Here's our closest look at the Kia EV2 caught testing in the Alps [Video]

The EV2 may be Kia’s smallest electric vehicle, but it has a big presence on the road. Kia promises it won’t feel so small when you’re inside, thanks to clever storage and flexible seating. After a prototype was spotted testing in the Alps, we are getting our closest look at the Kia EV2 so far.

Kia EV2 spotted in the Alps offers our closest look yet

Kia first unveiled the Concept EV2 during its 2025 EV Day event (see our recap of the event) in April, a preview of its upcoming entry-level electric SUV.

Despite its small size, Kia claims it will “redefine urban electric mobility” with new innovative features and more. Kia has yet to say exactly how big it will be, but given it will sit below the EV3, it’s expected to be around 4,000 mm (157″) in length. The EV3 is 4,300 mm (169.3″) in length.

Looking at it from the side, it sits much higher than you’d expect, similar to Kia’s larger EV9. During an exclusive event at Milan Design Week in April, Kia gave a sneak peek of the interior.

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Kia said the interior is inspired by a “picnic in the city,” or in other words, a retreat from the busy city life. With a flat-floor design and flexible seating, you can quite literally have a picnic in the city.

Kia-EV2-closest-look
Kia Concept EV2 (Source: Kia)

Although we’ve seen the EV2 out in public testing a few times, a new video provides the closest look at Kia’s upcoming electric SUV.

The video, courtesy of CarSpyMedia, shows an EV2 prototype testing in the Alps with European license plates. There’s also a “Testfahrt” sticker on the back, which translates to “Test Car” in German.

Kia EV2 entry-level EV caught testing in the Alps (Source: CarSpyMedia)

As the prototype drives by, you can get a good look at it from all angles. Like in past sightings, the front features stacked vertical headlights with Kia’s signature Star Map lighting. Even the rear lights appear to be identical to those of the concept.

The interior will feature Kia’s next-gen ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) infotainment system. The setup includes dual 12.3″ instrument clusters and infotainment screens in a curved panoramic display. Depending on the model, it could also include an added 5.3″ climate control screen.

Last month, a crossover coupe-like model was spotted on a car carrier in Korea, hinting at a new variant. The new model featured a design similar to that of the Genesis GV60.

Kia’s CEO, Ho Sung Song, also recently told Autocar that a smaller, more affordable EV was in the works to sit below the EV2. Song said the new EV, priced under €25,000 ($30,000), was “one area we are studying and developing.”

With the EV4 and EV5 launching this year, followed by the EV2 in 2026, it could be closer toward the end of the decade before we see it hit the market. Next-gen EV6 and EV9 models are also due out around then.

The Kia EV2 is set to launch in Europe and other global regions in 2026. Unfortunately, it’s not expected to make the trip to the US.

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