Big Changes: Top Electric Car Models to Lose EV Tax Credits in 2024
Starting January 1, 2024, electric vehicles (EVs) utilizing battery materials manufactured in China will no longer qualify for the $7,500 federal clean car tax credit. This major policy shift, detailed in recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines, impacts a wide range of EVs, including popular models like the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
For potential EV buyers, this change in eligibility could affect their purchase decisions significantly. Ford has already notified its dealers, expressing doubts that the Mustang Mach-E would meet the criteria for the tax credit come 2024. Similar concerns have been raised by Tesla, warning customers that specific versions of the Model 3 may only qualify for half of the tax credit starting next year. This shift in eligibility might also impact vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf and Volkswagen ID.4.
The IRS guidelines, part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), target battery materials and components sourced from nations labeled “foreign entities of concern,” including China, North Korea, and Russia. This mandate aims to reduce the United States’ reliance on these countries for essential EV battery materials like lithium, cobalt, graphite, and nickel.
Though the goal is to bolster domestic battery production and job creation in the EV sector, this move could lead to a reduction in the pool of EVs qualifying for the tax credit. With around 70% of the global supply of battery cells originating from China, this mandate is reshaping automakers’ supply chain strategies.
As automakers scramble to navigate these changes, several companies are investing billions to shift the EV supply chain away from China. Plans for new factories in North America and new mining operations are in the works, albeit these developments will take years to come to fruition. In the short term, this restriction on tax credit eligibility is likely to reduce the number of EVs qualifying for the incentive.
While this policy shift may inconvenience consumers in the immediate future, supporters argue that it validates efforts to fortify the US EV supply chain. Advocates like Albert Gore from the Zero Emissions Transportation Association emphasize that the new guidelines will steer manufacturing toward the United States, fostering job creation and strengthening national security.
For consumers planning to purchase an EV, it’s crucial to stay updated on these evolving policies, particularly how they may impact tax credit eligibility for different EV models. As the automotive industry navigates these changes, buyers should remain informed to make well-informed purchasing decisions.
Source: The Verge.
