EV Tax Credits Explained [+ 2023 EV Tax Credit Calculator]

Find out whether you are eligible for an EV tax credit using our calculator below. And see exactly how much you could save buying an electric vehicle.

Electric Vehicle Tax Credit Calculator

You can also view specific details on the Federal EV Tax Credit at fueleconomy.gov. However, always consult a tax professional to review your specific tax situation and confirm eligibility.

Table of Contents

• Understanding the EV Tax Credit (Video)
• How Does the EV Tax Credit Work?
  • Eligibility Requirements
  • EV Tax Credit Income Limits
  • How to Claim the $7,500 EV Tax Credit
  • Does the EV Tax Credit Apply to Used Cars?
  • Does the EV Tax Credit Apply to Leased Cars?
• State EV Tax Credits
  • How to Claim Your State's EV Tax Credit
  • How to Claim the California EV Rebate
• Charging Infrastructure Incentives
• EV Tax Credits, Incentives, & Rebates by State
• Qualified Electric Vehicles
• Qualified Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles
• Frequently Asked Questions

https://www.findthebestcarprice.com/author-steve

Steve Birkett

Steve Birkett

Steve Birkett is an electric vehicle advocate based in Greater Boston, Massachusetts. He is a content creator and marketing professional who contributes written and recorded pieces to a wide range of media outlets. His analysis has been featured in Find The Best Car Price, WWLP TV, and Torque News, among others. He has also had video content featured on Inside EVs. Birkett was an EV Guide for Plug in America events in Massachusetts (Drive Electric Cambridge and Drive Electric Lowell) and Ohio (Earth Day 2019 at Cleveland Zoo). He participates in quarterly advisory panel meetings for EVolve New York (a state-level charging initiative) and has contributed to focus groups for prominent U.S. charging networks.

Birkett is a father-of-two who loves nothing more than packing up the family and hitting the road in their latest electric car, which is currently a 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5. With multiple Chevy Bolts in his past, as well as a Chevy Volt and Tesla Model 3 LR in the extended family, plus various EV rentals when he ventures back home to his native United Kingdom, Birkett has more than 100,000 all-electric miles under his belt and is always ready to try out a new electric vehicle.

For press inquiries, contact [email protected]

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The EV tax credit offers $7,500 per consumer. But the rules and regulations will impact how much you can save.

Last Updated: September 2023

Understanding the EV Tax Credit (Video)

How Does the EV Tax Credit Work?

A federal EV tax credit program offers a maximum tax credit of $7,500 in incentives when you buy a qualifying EV, depending on your personal circumstances. The type of vehicle you choose and your tax burden impact how much of the federal incentive you can access. Additionally, the capacity of the battery used to power the vehicle you buy must be at least 7 kWh, among other qualifying criteria.

Qualifying electric, hydrogen, and plug-in hybrid vehicles placed into service from 2023 onwards are eligible for the federal tax credit for new clean vehicle purchases. A separate tax credit of up to $4,000 is in place for purchases of used clean energy vehicles sold for less than $25,000.

Since the federal electric car incentive is not yet a tax rebate, you can only claim an amount up to your tax liability in the year you claim the credit. The tax credit lowers the federal tax liability on your income for that year. This is expected to change in 2024, but for the moment your tax burden is key to getting the most money off an EV purchase.

Eligibility Requirements

There are some key qualifying criteria that vehicles must meet for different aspects of the federal tax credit. For a vehicle to be eligible, it must:

EV Tax Credit Income Limits

The federal tax credit for electric vehicles is only available to buyers earning below its income qualification caps. Note that the income limits are different depending on whether you are buying a new EV or a used one.

Following updates in 2023, the current EV tax credit income limits for buying a new and used electric vehicle are as follows:

Since the federal EV incentive is a tax credit, you do not get it immediately upon purchasing the EV. You apply for the EV federal tax credit when you file your taxes for the year in which you purchased the vehicle. If you purchased a new EV in May of 2023, for example, you would apply for the tax credit when you file your 2023 taxes at the beginning of 2024.

You must fill out IRS Form 8936 when filing your annual income tax returns. Keep in mind that not all online or software-based tax systems support this form.

Does the EV Tax Credit Apply to Used Cars?

A separate incentive from the new clean vehicle federal tax credit exists for used EV purchases. This provides qualifying buyers with a credit of up to $4,000 when purchasing a used EV priced below $25,000.

For a used EV to qualify for this credit, it must:

Does the EV Tax Credit Apply to Leased Cars?

Only the vehicle’s titleholder can claim the EV tax credit. While leasing an EV is great for the environment and allows you to upgrade to newer technology every few years, you will not be able to claim the EV tax credit directly. Some lenders will factor in the tax credit to the monthly payment calculations, which would allow you to absorb some of the benefit of the tax credit in the form of lower monthly payments.

State EV Tax Credits

In addition to the federal tax credit, electric vehicles may also qualify for local and state incentives. Of course, the amount and type of incentives available to you depend on the programs offered in your state. In some cases, the state incentives can be combined with the federal incentive program for a $12,500 in savings on the cost of purchasing an EV.

You should check for your local incentives before purchasing the EV to make sure you know all of your options and the qualification requirements for each of the incentives. While the federal tax credit does not apply when leasing vehicles, some state incentives do. For example, Colorado offers up to a $5,000 tax credit for the purchase or lease of a new EV.

How to Claim Your State's EV Tax Credit

Each state has its own EV incentives and process. The incentives and process can vary drastically among states, so be sure to research how to claim the EV state incentive for your state.

How to Claim the California EV Rebate

California offers several incentives, including a $7,000 grant based on income eligibility, a $1,500 California Clean Fuel Reward, discounted charging rates during off-peak hours, rebates for level 2 installation, and free charging for one year based on region.

Due to California EV rebates' high cost and popularity, they installed an income limit of $150,000 for an individual or $300,000 for joint filers. Plug-in hybrids with electric ranges under 35 miles or EVs with a base price above $60,000 are not eligible. The California rebate is cash or a check at the point of sale. A mailed check may take up to 18 months to arrive.

To learn more about the process and apply for a rebate, head to California’s Clean Vehicle Rebate page.

Buying an EV is a great investment for your wallet and our planet. There are many different types of incentives that help reduce the upfront cost of buying an electric vehicle. Make sure to determine the total federal, state, and local incentives that you can qualify for before you purchase an EV using the resources above.

EV Tax Credits, Incentives, & Rebates by State

Look below to find your state's EV tax calculator and available local and utility incentives.

The federal tax credit only reduces your tax liability. For example, even if a vehicle qualifies for the full $7,500 and you owe $5,000 in taxes, it will only credit the $5,000. You will not receive the rest of the credit of $2,500

Used our incentive calculator to find out if the PHEV model that you are considering is among those that qualify.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do car manufacturers offer incentives on EVs?

Yes, in addition to federal EV tax credits and local state incentives, some automakers offer incentives on their electric vehicles. These EV incentives vary month-to-month when it comes to cashback, financing and lease deals, while longer-term incentives such as complimentary charging or assistance installing a home charger may also be available. Check out the best EV deals for this month.

Do hybrid cars qualify for the tax credit?

Yes, some plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) models with battery capacities greater than 7 kWh qualify for the federal tax credit. Use our calculator to see which PHEVs you can consider.

Is there an income limit for the EV tax credit?

Yes, the following income caps apply to the federal EV tax credit and the new credit for used electric vehicles. Married/Joint Filers = $300K for New / $150K for Used. Head of Households = $225K for New / $112,500 for Used. All Other Filers = $150K for New / $75K for Used.

What cars qualify for the federal tax credit?

Many different EVs qualify for the EV tax credit, as long as they are assembled in North America and meet sourcing requirements for battery components and minerals. Some examples include the Cadillac Lyriq, Ford 150 Lightning, and the Tesla Model 3.

Are electric vehicles tax-free?

No, you still have to pay the sales tax on the purchase of an EV vehicle. However, you may be eligible to get a tax credit on your income tax for that year. In addition, some states may charge extra fees to EV drivers due to declining gas tax revenue.

How does the phase-out work for EV tax credits?

Although the previous federal tax credit for electric vehicles included a phase-out period that was triggered once an automaker sold 200,000 EVs, the current legislation includes does not. The Inflation Reduction Act instead specifies manufacturing, sourcing, and assembly criteria that qualify or exclude certain automakers and models, rather than a blanket tax credit expiration based on the number of electric vehicles sold.