US EV Tax Credit score Loophole — Make Positive You Full The Loop

Assist CleanTechnica’s work via a Substack subscription or on Stripe.

It’s been some time because the $7,500 US tax credit score for electrical automobiles was ended, however the story shouldn’t be over but.

As we famous a number of months in the past, a loophole was added, or confirmed, towards the top of the third quarter. Individuals who purchased an EV earlier than October 1 might nonetheless qualify for the $7,500 tax credit score even when it wasn’t delivered earlier than then.

I believed it was indicated on the time, although, or possibly simply implied, that you just’d have to obtain the car earlier than the top of the yr. “So long as you’ve got a “binding written contract” and put down an preliminary cost for an EV by the top of September 30, the IRS has determined that you’re eligible to obtain the tax credit score. (A few of presumed this clarification or change was to assist Tesla, which may simply absorb orders for brand new automobiles because it sells on to clients.),” I wrote. “Ford and GM, after discussions with the IRS in line with Reuters, have determined they’ll purchase a bunch of electrical automobiles themselves after which promote them to their auto sellers to lease to clients at a reduction in coming months. […] Now, EV consumers can at the very least get nice offers on leases in coming months, via December 31, 2025, through Ford Credit score, reportedly.”

Now, nevertheless, there does appear to be affirmation that you just higher take supply of any car you ordered anticipating to get the $7,500 tax credit score earlier than January 1, 2026.

“We confirmed with a Tesla Gross sales Advisor that any present orders which have the $7,500 tax credit score utilized to them have to be accomplished by December 31, which means supply should happen by that date,” Teslarati writes. “Nevertheless, it’s unclear at this level whether or not somebody might nonetheless declare the credit score when submitting their tax returns for 2025 so long as the order displays an order date earlier than September 30.” I wouldn’t depend on it.

What number of EV consumers bought their automobiles (at the very least placing a down cost on them) earlier than October however haven’t acquired them but? I assume not many. Nevertheless, it seems there’s nonetheless a particular group of Tesla consumers who’re ready on their automobiles. “This places some consumers in a wierd limbo, particularly in the event that they positioned an order for the Mannequin Y Efficiency. Some deliveries have already taken place, and a few are scheduled earlier than the top of the month, however many others usually are not anticipating deliveries till January.” It does make me marvel if there are consumers of some other particular trims who’re awaiting supply, and maybe sweating about doubtlessly dropping the $7,500 tax credit score they have been relying on.