EV tax credit in 2026: what's left
Short answer: the federal credits for buying a new or used EV ended for cars acquired after September 30, 2025. A few situations still qualify. Check yours below.
The IRS says clean vehicle credits are not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. Without a binding contract and payment by that date, no federal purchase credit applies.
A quick screen, not tax advice. Rules from IRS.gov clean vehicle and Form 8911 pages as of September 2026. Credits are non-refundable unless transferred to a dealer at sale.
What changed
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21, signed July 4, 2025) ended several clean-energy credits early. The IRS now states that the New Clean Vehicle Credit (30D), the Previously-Owned Clean Vehicle Credit (25E) and the Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (45W) are not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025.
Who can still claim
- Early contracts, late delivery. If you entered a binding written contract and made a payment on or before September 30, 2025, you can claim the credit in the year you take delivery, as long as the car and your income met the rules.
- Home chargers placed in service by June 30, 2026. The 30C credit is 30% of the cost, up to $1,000 per charging port, at your main home in an eligible census tract.
Where the savings are now
Without a federal purchase credit, the money case for an EV rests on running costs: home electricity versus gasoline, and lower maintenance. Put numbers on it with the EV vs gas calculator and the charging cost calculator. State and utility programs (charger rebates, EV electricity rates, some purchase rebates) still exist in many places; check your utility and state energy office.
Questions drivers ask
Is there a federal EV tax credit in 2026?
Not for buying a car. The IRS states that the New Clean Vehicle Credit (30D), the Previously-Owned Clean Vehicle Credit (25E) and the Qualified Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (45W) are not available for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. They were ended early by Public Law 119-21 (July 4, 2025).
I signed a contract before October 2025 but got the car later. Can I claim it?
Possibly. The IRS says that if the vehicle is placed in service after September 30, 2025, you must have acquired it on or before that date, which you can show with a binding written contract and a payment made on or before September 30, 2025. You claim it for the year you take delivery.
Is there still a credit for a home charger?
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit (30C) gave individuals 30% of the cost, up to $1,000 per item, for charging equipment placed in service at their main home from January 1, 2023, to June 30, 2026, and only in eligible (low-income or non-urban) census tracts. Equipment installed after June 30, 2026 does not qualify.
What were the old limits?
For 30D: MSRP up to $55,000 for cars and $80,000 for vans, SUVs and pickups; modified AGI up to $300,000 married filing jointly, $225,000 head of household, $150,000 other. For 25E: sale price $25,000 or less, credit 30% of price up to $4,000, and AGI up to $150,000 / $112,500 / $75,000.
Are state incentives still available?
Some are. States, cities and utilities run their own rebates, reduced EV electricity rates and charger rebates, and these change often. Check your state energy office and your electric utility, or the U.S. DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center’s laws and incentives search.