EV Incentives: What's Actually Still Available

What's Gone

• The $7,500 new-EV federal tax credit — expired for vehicles acquired after 9/30/2025.
• The $4,000 used-EV federal tax credit — expired on the same date.
• The 30% federal home charger installation credit (up to $1,000) — this had a deadline of June 30, 2026, which has now passed.

What's Still on the Table

Auto Loan Interest Deduction

A smaller replacement benefit, also from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, lets buyers deduct up to $10,000 in interest paid on a new-car loan, provided the vehicle had final assembly in the United States, the loan originated after December 31, 2024, and the vehicle is for personal (not business) use. It phases out above $100,000 of income ($200,000 for joint filers) and runs through 2028. It's not a purchase credit, and per Cox Automotive's analysis, actual savings for most borrowers land in the hundreds of dollars a year rather than thousands — but it's real money if you're financing a U.S.-built EV.

State and Local Incentives

Unlike the federal credit, many state-level EV incentives are still active — and they vary enormously by state, from rebates on the purchase price to reduced registration fees to HOV lane access. These change often enough that the only reliable way to check is to look up your specific state.

Utility Company Programs

This is genuinely the most under-used incentive category. Power companies routinely offer:

• Charger rebates — partial or full reimbursement for installing a Level 2 home charger, often $200–$1,500 depending on the utility.
• Time-of-Use (TOU) rates — charging overnight can cost 50–75% less per kWh than charging during peak daytime hours.
• Managed charging programs — some utilities pay you a small ongoing credit for letting them slightly delay your charging during grid demand spikes.

To take advantage of TOU rates without having to remember to plug in late, most Level 2 chargers support scheduled charging, or you can automate an existing outlet with a smart plug or outlet timer.

Registration Fees: The Other Direction

Most states now charge EVs an annual registration surcharge — typically $50–$250 — meant to replace the gas tax revenue they'd otherwise collect from you at the pump. It's a real annual cost, and it's why our calculator includes a state-by-state registry surcharge field that auto-fills when you pick your state. Even with the federal credit gone, fuel and maintenance savings for a typical 12,000-mile-a-year driver still tend to outweigh this fee within the first year.