Battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles purchased in or after 2010 may be eligible for the US federal income tax credit of up to $7,500. The credit amount varies based on the capacity of the battery used to power the vehicle. All current Tesla models are (and the Model 3 will be) eligible for the initial full $7,500 credit. The Chevrolet Volt PHEV also qualifies for the full $7,500, for example, whereas the Ford Fusion Energi, is only eligible for a $4,007 credit.
See how the IRS calculates the available tax credit for each EV model.
The federal tax credit is phased out over time beginning the second quarter AFTER the quarter in which a manufacturer reaches a total of 200,000 BEV or PHEV vehicles sold since 2010. Here is how the phase out works:
- The full amount of the EV qualifying tax credit is in place DURING the entire calendar quarter in which 200,000 EVs are sold by a manufacturer, AND through the subsequent quarter.
- Then the tax credit amount is reduced by 50% for the next 2 quarters.
- The credit is reduced again to 25% of the original amount for the subsequent 2 quarters.
- At that point the credit expires completely.
Can You Actually Claim the Credit?
There are a few things to keep in mind when considering the purchase of an EV and qualification for the tax credit:
- First, you must purchase, not lease the vehicle to be directly eligible for the tax credit. If the vehicle is leased, only the lessor and not the lessee, is entitled to the credit. However, the leasing company should pass on the federal credit to the lessor in the form of lower monthly lease payments.
- Secondly the tax credit only applies to new cars, not used.
- To claim the credit, you must have a tax liability that you report on your Federal tax return. You can only claim the credit up to the amount of your tax liability.
