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Federal and state incentives

EV, solar and battery tax credits in 2026: what ended and what's left

Most federal clean-energy credits for households have ended. If a website, dealer or installer still quotes a price "after the 30% tax credit" or "after $7,500 back", check the dates below. Every date on this page comes from the IRS.

Last reviewed by the Spark Powered editor.

What still saves you money without a federal credit:

Federal credits that have ended

Federal clean energy credits and when they ended
CreditTax codeIRS end rule
New clean vehicle credit (up to $7,500)§30DNot allowed for vehicles acquired after 30 September 2025
Used clean vehicle credit (up to $4,000)§25ENot allowed for vehicles acquired after 30 September 2025
Commercial clean vehicle credit (includes many EV leases)§45WNot allowed for vehicles acquired after 30 September 2025
EV charger / refueling property credit§30CNot allowed for property placed in service after 30 June 2026
Residential Clean Energy Credit, 30% (solar, batteries, geothermal)§25DNot allowed for expenditures made after 31 December 2025
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (heat pumps, insulation, windows)§25CNot allowed for property placed in service after 31 December 2025

Source: IRS fact sheet FS-2025-05 on Public Law 119-21 (signed 4 July 2025).

What federal help remains

Car loan interest deduction. For tax years 2025 to 2028 you can deduct up to $10,000 a year of interest on a loan for a new car, SUV, van, pickup or motorcycle whose final assembly happened in the United States. It works whether you itemize or not, phases out above $100,000 of modified adjusted gross income ($200,000 joint), and requires the VIN on your return. It is not limited to EVs, and used vehicles do not qualify.

Leases and power purchase agreements for solar and storage. The homeowner credit ended, but companies that own the equipment claim separate business credits under different rules and deadlines. Whether any of that reaches you depends on the contract — ask the provider to show it in the price, and compare against buying outright.

Tax rules have exceptions, transition dates and income limits that this summary cannot cover. Check with a tax professional before making a purchase decision based on a credit or deduction.

State programs open now: three examples

With the federal credits gone, state money is the main help left. Three we checked on the official pages on :

  • Illinois: The Illinois EPA EV rebate cycle runs 1 August to 31 December 2026: $2,000 for an all-electric car ($4,000 for low-income applicants) and $1,500 for an electric motorcycle, bought from an Illinois dealer for $80,000 or less, while funds last. Source · Illinois energy data
  • Hawaii: Hawaii's state income tax credit for a solar electric system on a single-family home is the lesser of 35% of its cost or $5,000 (after subtracting any utility rebate). Solar water heaters get up to $2,250. Source · Hawaii energy data
  • Colorado: Colorado's state tax credit for a new EV bought or leased in 2026 is $750, plus another $2,500 if the car's MSRP is under $35,000. Cars with an MSRP over $80,000 get no credit. Source · Colorado energy data

State and utility incentives

States and utilities still run rebates for EVs, chargers, heat pumps, solar and batteries, and they change often. Rather than copy program details that may go stale, we link to the two official databases for each state. Each state's energy data page also lists them.

Pick a state to see where its rebates are listed.

Frequently asked questions

Is the $7,500 federal EV tax credit still available?

No. The IRS says the new clean vehicle credit (section 30D) is not allowed for any vehicle acquired after 30 September 2025. The used clean vehicle credit (25E) and commercial clean vehicle credit (45W) ended on the same date.

Can I still get a federal tax credit for solar panels or a home battery?

Not as a homeowner buying the system. The IRS says the 30% Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D) is not allowed for expenditures made after 31 December 2025. Companies that own systems and lease them to homeowners claim different, business-side credits, so a lease or power purchase agreement price may still reflect federal support; ask the provider.

Is there a federal credit for installing a home EV charger?

Not for chargers placed in service after 30 June 2026, according to the IRS. Some utilities and states still offer charger rebates; check the AFDC and DSIRE links for your state on this page.

What federal help is left for buying an EV?

For tax years 2025 through 2028 you can deduct up to $10,000 a year of interest on a loan for a new vehicle whose final assembly was in the United States, whether or not you itemize. The deduction phases out above $100,000 of modified adjusted gross income ($200,000 for joint filers), the loan must be taken out after 31 December 2024 and secured by the vehicle, and you must report the VIN. It applies to gasoline vehicles too, not just EVs.

Where can I find state EV and solar rebates?

The Department of Energy's Alternative Fuels Data Center lists state laws and incentives for electric vehicles, and the DSIRE database run by the NC Clean Energy Technology Center lists solar, storage and efficiency programs. Both are linked for every state below.

This page summarizes official guidance for general information. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. See our disclaimer.

Sources

  1. IRS: FAQs for modification of sections 25C, 25D, 25E, 30C, 30D, 45L, 45W and 179D (FS-2025-05) — 21 August 2025
  2. IRS: Working Families Tax Cuts — tax deductions for working Americans and seniors — car loan interest deduction rules
  3. U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels Data Center: State Laws and Incentives — state EV programs
  4. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center — state solar, storage and efficiency programs

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