X

How Almost Any Electric Vehicle Can Qualify for the $7,500 EV Tax Credit

Leasing EVs has become increasingly popular since new guidance on the lucrative tax break took effect in April.

Kia EV6

If you buy a Kia EV6, you can't claim the EV tax credit. But leasing offers a lucrative loophole. 

Kia

When new requirements for the EV tax credit took effect in April, the number of electric vehicles that qualified for the $7,500 tax break dropped dramatically.

Right now only about a dozen cars, mostly from US automakers, are on the IRS' official list.

But almost any make or model EV is eligible for the full credit if you lease, rather than buy it outright. 

How does the leasing loophole work?

Currently, $3,750 of the "clean vehicle credit" is dependent on at least half of the battery components being manufactured in North America. You can claim the other $3,750 if at least 40% of its critical minerals are sourced from the US or a trade partner.  

But the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which established the new guidance, categorizes leased automobiles as commercial vehicles, which aren't subject to the same sourcing requirements.

Technically, it's not the consumer who gets the tax break, but the dealership that leases the car. 

"Because the car is still owned by the lessor, they're the one who can claim the credit," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Kelley Blue Book.

But EV manufacturers, especially foreign ones locked out of the tax credit, are passing the savings along in the form of better leasing terms. Hyundai's $499-a-month leasing deal for the Ioniq 5 includes a "$7,500 Total EV Lease Reward," while Kia is offering a $7,500 "bonus" on the 2023 EV6 through July 5.  

As a result, Kia said it expects leasing to increase to 30% to 40% of its EV business by next month, up from 10% to 15% now. The percentage of Hyundai Ioniq 5 vehicles that are leased shot up to more than 30% in April, CNBC reported, up from about 2% in January 

What should I know if I want to lease an EV

While many leading EV manufacturers are offering leasing bonuses, Moody said they're under no obligation to do so. (Tesla, the largest seller of EVs in the US, doesn't offer a  discount, Electrek reported.) 

"If you're leasing an EV because you want a lower payment, be sure to ask about it up front," Moody said.

In addition, the IRS says it is still finalizing the form to claim the commercial clean vehicle credit, and it could issue additional guidance that closes or shrinks the loophole.  

Are there other benefits to leasing?

By leasing their EVs, drivers can get the credit applied directly to their monthly payments rather than waiting for their IRS refund. (Buyers won't be able to use those funds as "cash on the hood" until 2024.)

Leasing also allows you to ignore the price and income limitations placed on purchased EVs.

In March, 34% of American EV drivers leased their vehicles, compared with less than 20% of new gasoline-powered cars. (A year prior, only 18% of EVs were leased.)

Ford Motor Credit CEO Marion Harris told Bloomberg that leasing could soon account for 60% of the EV market, at least while the list of qualifying vehicles is limited and concerns about technology remain.

"Leasing could be a safe way to test the waters for getting an EV," Moody said. 

What about the tax credit for used EVs?

The Inflation Reduction Act also instituted a tax break for used electric and fuel-cell vehicles that is worth $4,000 or 30% of the sale price, whichever is less.

And unlike new EVs, second-hand cars don't have to meet any manufacturing requirements. The MSRP must be $25,000 or less, however, and the car must be at least two years old.

In addition, the used clean vehicle credit can only be claimed once in a vehicle's lifetime. And there are income caps if you want to claim the used clean vehicle credit.

Read On: How to Claim the $7,500 Electric Vehicle Tax Credit

Dan Avery Former Writer
Dan was a writer on CNET's How-To and Thought Leadership teams. His byline has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, NBC News, Architectural Digest and elsewhere. He is a crossword junkie and is interested in the intersection of tech and marginalized communities.
Expertise Personal finance, government and policy, consumer affairs
Dan Avery
Dan was a writer on CNET's How-To and Thought Leadership teams. His byline has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, NBC News, Architectural Digest and elsewhere. He is a crossword junkie and is interested in the intersection of tech and marginalized communities.

Article updated on May 18, 2023 at 8:30 AM PDT

Our Experts

Written by 
Dan Avery
CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review the products and services we cover. If you buy through our links, we may get paid. Reviews ethics statement
Dan Avery Former Writer
Dan was a writer on CNET's How-To and Thought Leadership teams. His byline has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, NBC News, Architectural Digest and elsewhere. He is a crossword junkie and is interested in the intersection of tech and marginalized communities.
Expertise Personal finance, government and policy, consumer affairs
Why You Can Trust CNET
174175176177178179180+
Experts Interviewed
030405060708091011121314+
Companies Reviewed
108109110111112113+
Products Reviewed

We thoroughly evaluate each company and product we review and ensure our stories meet our high editorial standards.