Tax credits for electric vehicles and home energy systems set to expire this year

Consumers face looming federal deadlines for tax credits on electric vehicles and clean energy home upgrades, with some incentives ending as soon as Sept. 30.

Dan Gearino reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Donald Trump, repeals credits created under the Inflation Reduction Act, ending most consumer clean energy incentives by Dec. 31.
  • Buyers of new and used EVs have until Sept. 30 to claim credits worth up to $7,500, while credits for rooftop solar, heat pumps and insulation expire at year’s end.
  • Experts warn that rushing purchases to beat deadlines can lead to poor decisions, but waiting may mean missing out on significant savings.

Key quote:

“People won’t find out about it until it’s too late. People are going to miss the chance.”

— Madeline Fleisher, energy attorney and co-founder of Electrify Central Ohio

Why this matters:

Federal tax credits have played a central role in helping families afford clean energy technologies like rooftop solar, heat pumps, and electric vehicles. Without them, upfront costs could become prohibitive for middle-class households, slowing the shift away from fossil fuels that drive climate change and air pollution. The sudden rollback comes as demand for clean energy is rising and utilities struggle to meet carbon reduction goals. Ending incentives mid-transition risks stalling new projects and straining industries built around these credits, while leaving consumers caught between high energy bills and fewer affordable options for reducing their carbon footprint.

Related: Trump’s new energy law slashes popular clean energy tax credits

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