Which vehicles qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit?

Vehicles that qualify for the full $7,500 federal Clean Vehicle Credit are new plug-in electric or fuel-cell models that meet North American final assembly rules, strict battery sourcing thresholds, MSRP caps, and buyer income limits; eligibility is VIN- and trim-specific and changes often, so confirm on the official lookup at fueleconomy.gov/cleanvehicles. In practice, many U.S.-built EVs—such as select trims of the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, GM’s Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Equinox/Blazer EV, and some Ford F-150 Lightning configurations—have recently qualified for the full amount, while others qualify only partially or via leasing.

How the $7,500 Clean Vehicle Credit works

The federal new Clean Vehicle Credit (Internal Revenue Code §30D) is split into two $3,750 parts—one for battery components and one for critical minerals. A vehicle that meets both tests and all other program rules can qualify for the full $7,500. If it meets only one battery test, it may qualify for $3,750. Separate rules apply for used EVs and for leasing.

Vehicle and buyer eligibility checklist

The following checklist summarizes the key requirements your vehicle and household must meet to claim the credit. Because rules are technical and updated over time, use this as a guide and verify details with the IRS or fueleconomy.gov before purchase.

• Final assembly: The vehicle must be finally assembled in North America (U.S., Canada, or Mexico).
• Battery sourcing:
  

  • Battery components: Must meet annual content thresholds (60% in 2024–2025), and none can be from a “foreign entity of concern” (FEOC) starting in 2024.
  • Critical minerals: Must meet annual sourcing thresholds (50% in 2024; 60% in 2025), and FEOC restrictions apply to minerals starting in 2025.

• Vehicle type and specs: New plug-in EV, plug-in hybrid (with at least ~7 kWh battery), or fuel-cell vehicle; GVWR generally under 14,000 lbs.
• MSRP caps: $55,000 for cars; $80,000 for SUVs, vans, and pickups, as defined by EPA class, not just marketing name.
• Buyer income caps (Modified Adjusted Gross Income): $300,000 married filing jointly; $225,000 head of household; $150,000 single. You can use the year of purchase or the prior year—whichever is lower and qualifies.
• Use and title: Purchased new for your own use (not resale), primarily used in the U.S., and titled in your name.
• Point-of-sale option (2024+): You may transfer the credit to a participating dealer for an immediate price reduction, but you must still qualify or you’ll owe it back at tax time.

If any single requirement is missed—assembly location, sourcing, price cap, or income—the vehicle will not qualify for the credit amount under §30D, though leasing may still unlock incentives under a different program.

Models that have recently qualified (verify by VIN)

Because eligibility is determined by exact trim, battery, and build location—and it changes as manufacturers update supply chains—the definitive answer for “which vehicles qualify” is the official VIN-specific database: fueleconomy.gov/cleanvehicles (select “Tax Credits” and use the eligibility tool). The IRS also maintains guidance at irs.gov/cleanvehicles. The models below have included at least some trims that qualified for up to $7,500 in the 2024 model year; always verify your exact configuration and VIN.

• Tesla: Model Y (various trims); Model 3 Performance has qualified at times depending on battery sourcing; others vary—confirm by VIN.
• General Motors: Cadillac Lyriq; Chevrolet Blazer EV; Chevrolet Equinox EV; certain Silverado EV trims—eligibility varies by configuration.
• Ford/Lincoln: Select F-150 Lightning trims; Mustang Mach-E eligibility has varied by battery sourcing—check specific trims.
• Volkswagen: ID.4 (assembled in Chattanooga, TN) with qualifying battery configurations.
• Rivian: Certain R1T and R1S configurations have qualified for partial or full credit depending on sourcing and MSRP.
• Stellantis (Jeep/Chrysler): Some plug-in hybrids (e.g., Wrangler 4xe, Grand Cherokee 4xe, Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid) have qualified at times—verify current status and MSRP.
• Nissan: Leaf eligibility has varied with battery sourcing—verify the specific trim and build.

This list is not exhaustive and changes as manufacturers adjust supply chains. Many vehicles built outside North America do not qualify for the §30D purchase credit but can benefit from leasing incentives (see below).

Leasing vs. buying: a crucial difference

If a vehicle does not meet the purchase-credit rules, leasing can still unlock incentives. Under the Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (IRC §45W), the leasing company can claim the credit and may pass through the value as a capitalized cost reduction—often appearing as $7,500 off—regardless of North American assembly or battery sourcing. This is why many Hyundai, Kia, and other imported EVs can be effectively “discounted” via lease, even if they don’t qualify when purchased.

Used EV credit (up to $4,000)

There is a separate credit for previously owned clean vehicles (IRC §25E). It’s smaller but can be valuable for budget-conscious buyers.

• Credit amount: 30% of sale price up to $4,000.
• Price cap and age: Vehicle must cost $25,000 or less, be at least two years old, and be sold by a dealer.
• Income caps: $150,000 married filing jointly; $112,500 head of household; $75,000 single.
• Buyer restrictions: You can’t be the original owner, and you can’t claim the credit more than once every three years.

As with the new credit, the used-vehicle program has verification steps on fueleconomy.gov and requires proper documentation from the dealer.

How to confirm eligibility for your exact vehicle

Because eligibility hinges on details like EPA vehicle class, battery provider, and the specific assembly plant, follow these steps before you sign.

1. Get the VIN and exact trim/build details from the dealer’s buyer’s order.
2. Check the VIN against the official lookup at fueleconomy.gov/cleanvehicles (Tax Credits section) and confirm final assembly location.
3. Verify the window sticker’s “Final Assembly Point” and EPA vehicle class to ensure the correct MSRP cap applies (car vs. SUV/pickup/van).
4. Confirm MSRP (not out-the-door price) is within the cap for the class.
5. Check your MAGI against the IRS limits using the current year or prior year—whichever qualifies.
6. If using point-of-sale transfer, ensure the dealer is registered with the IRS Energy Credits Online system and get the confirmation paperwork.

Completing these checks before delivery helps avoid surprises at tax time and ensures you receive any point-of-sale benefit immediately and legitimately.

Common pitfalls to avoid

The following are frequent reasons buyers miss out on the full $7,500 or must repay a point-of-sale advance.

• Relying on brand-wide claims instead of VIN-specific verification.
• Confusing MSRP caps with transaction price; only MSRP counts for eligibility.
• Assuming all trims of a model qualify; battery suppliers can differ by trim.
• Overlooking EPA vehicle class; a “car” has a lower MSRP cap than an “SUV.”
• Exceeding income limits after taking a dealer rebate; recapture can apply at tax filing.
• Not accounting for 2025 FEOC mineral restrictions, which tightened eligibility further.

Double-checking these issues with your dealer and the official tools will significantly increase your chances of securing the intended credit without later complications.

Where to find the authoritative list

Because eligibility updates frequently as manufacturers adjust supply chains and as 2025 FEOC mineral rules take effect, always use these official resources before purchase:

• Official vehicle eligibility lookup: https://fueleconomy.gov/cleanvehicles
• IRS Clean Vehicle Credits (forms, FAQs, point-of-sale guidance): https://www.irs.gov/cleanvehicles
• VIN decoder and final-assembly info (on the Monroney/window sticker and manufacturer sites)

These sources provide the most current, VIN-level determination and are the references used by dealers and tax preparers.

Bottom line

The vehicles that qualify for the full $7,500 credit are those that meet North American assembly, battery component and critical mineral sourcing thresholds, MSRP caps, and buyer income limits. In recent model years, many U.S.-assembled EVs—including certain trims of Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, GM’s Lyriq and Equinox/Blazer EV, and select Ford F-150 Lightning models—have qualified, but you must verify by VIN at fueleconomy.gov because eligibility is fluid and trim-specific. If a purchase doesn’t qualify, leasing may still unlock equivalent savings under the commercial credit.

Summary

To know which vehicles qualify for the $7,500 credit, confirm your exact VIN on fueleconomy.gov and ensure you meet IRS income rules and the vehicle meets price caps. Eligibility depends on North American assembly plus strict battery sourcing tests that tightened again in 2025. Many U.S.-built EVs have recently qualified for the full credit, others for $3,750, and many imported models can still capture equivalent savings via leasing. Always verify before you buy.

Is the 7500 tax credit going away?

The tax credit, which was passed in 2022 as part of the Biden administration’s legislative push to support EVs and green energy, is going away as part of President Donald Trump’s broad spending and tax bill that passed in July.

What vehicles qualify for a 7500 tax credit?

Which EVs and PHEVs Are Eligible for a Federal Tax Credit?

Model Year/Vehicle	Credit Available	Retail Price Cap
2023-25 Ford F-150 Lightning EV	$7,500	$80,000
2026 Genesis Electrified GV70 EV	$7,500	$80,000
2026 GMC Sierra EV	$7,500	$80,000
2024-26 Honda Prologue EV	$7,500	$80,000

Which cars will qualify for tax credits in 2025?

Cars eligible for a 2025 EV tax credit

Car Make and Model	Tax Credit Amount	MSRP Limit
F-150 Lightning: FLASH Trim (2024-2025)	$7,500.	$80,000.
F-150 Lightning: LARIAT and XLT Trim (2023–2025)	$7,500.	$80,000.
Genesis
Electrified GV70 (2025)	$7,500.	$80,000.

How to check if a car qualifies for tax credit?

Visit the FuelEconomy.gov Tax Center to determine whether a vehicle qualifies for a tax credit, navigate eligibility requirements, and read frequently asked questions. You can also use the tax credit calculator to determine how much you can claim on a used vehicle.