Incentives for Electric Vehicles

The U.S. government offers a “clean vehicle tax credit” to car buyers who purchase a new or previously owned electric vehicle. The credit will be worth different amounts depending on certain factors, read more below!

$7,500

Maximum New Vehicle Federal Tax Credit

$4,000

Maximum Pre-Owned Vehicle Federal Tax Credit

Beginning in 2024, buyers will be able to transfer clean vehicle credits to dealers at the time of sale, and use the credit amount as a down payment at time of sale. Only dealers that register with the IRS will allow the credit as a down payment. Source : IRS

How to obtain the credit:

  1. Buy the electric vehicle, and during sale make sure to get the Required Information

  2. Complete Form 8936: Qualified Plug-in Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit

  3. File this form with your tax return the year that you purchased the vehicle

Credit amount:

  • $3,750 if the vehicle meets the critical minerals requirement only

  • $3,750 if the vehicle meets the battery components requirement only

  • $7,500 if the vehicle meets both

  • See which vehicles meet the requirements here

Qualifications:

  • Income cannot exceed:

    • $300,000 for married couples filing jointly

    • $225,000 for heads of households

    • $150,000 for all other filers

    *The credit is nonrefundable, so you can't get back more on the credit than you owe in taxes

    • You buy the vehicle new

    • The seller must report the required information to you at the time of sale and to the IRS.

    • Vehicle can be used for individuals and for businesses

    • Vehicle must be for use, not resale

    • Vehicle use must be primarily in the U.S.

  • The vehicle must:

    • Have a battery capacity of at least 7 kilowatt hours

    • Have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds

    • Be made by a qualified manufacturer

    • Undergo final assembly in North America

    • Meet critical mineral and battery component requirements, see Credit Amount section

    • Have an MSRP/retail price of less than:

      • $80,000 for vans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks

      • $55,000 for other vehicles