Is the federal EV tax credit really gone, and is buying now a worse deal?

It expired September 30, 2025 — gone for new purchases now. What's actually still around: OEM discounts that showed up specifically to offset the credit disappearing (varies by brand, shop around), some state-level rebates depending where you live, and Section 30C for home charging equipment specifically, which is a different program and wasn't touched by the federal credit expiring.

Not necessarily worse across the board — sticker prices and OEM discounts have moved too, so the net cost isn't just 'subtract $7,500 from what it used to be.' Compare actual out-the-door prices now versus then, don't just subtract the old credit from an old number.

Coming back to this since it's been a while — ended up buying anyway, out-the-door price with the OEM discount landed close enough to what I remembered the credit being worth that I stopped doing the math. Not sure that holds for every brand though.

The federal Clean Vehicle Credit is still active for 2026 — there's an MSRP cap and an income cap depending on filing status, and the credit itself maxes at $7,500 but a lot of models only qualify for the $3,750 half-credit depending on sourcing. The good part is you can take it at point-of-sale now instead of waiting for tax season, so it knocks the price down at signing. The IRS page has the current caps and the eligible-model list — worth checking your exact VIN before you sign, since sourcing changes can bump a car in or out mid-year.