Are You Eligible for an EV Tax Credit?

EV tax credits reduce the amount of income tax you owe to the federal and state government. EV shoppers also have the option to assign their tax credit to a participating dealership, who will reduce the price of the vehicle by the tax credit amount.

Note: the Colorado Energy Office does not provide tax advice. Please see a licensed tax professional to understand if you are eligible for any tax credits. The Colorado Department of Revenue Taxpayer Helpline can be contacted here.

If you pay taxes in Colorado, you’re eligible for a state tax credit of $3,500 with the purchase or lease of a new EV with an MSRP up to $80,000. Lease agreements must have an initial term of at least two years. EVs with an MSRP under $35,000 are also eligible for an additional tax credit of $2,500. If you do not pay taxes in Colorado, you’ll need to check with the state where you do pay taxes to see what EV incentives are offered.

To receive the full federal EV tax credit of up to $7,500 for new EV purchases, there are several qualifications that you must meet. These include having a federal tax burden equal to or higher than the value of tax credit, meeting the personal or household income limits, ensuring the vehicle is beneath the MSRP caps based on the type of vehicle you’re interested in, and ensuring the vehicle production requirements are met, which include where the vehicle and its components are manufactured and assembled, and that the battery components and critical minerals are sourced from countries in which the United States has a Free Trade Agreement with.

Vehicles that meet all requirements except for battery sourcing and component requirements may be eligible for half of the federal tax credit up to $3,750.

EV leases are also eligible for the $7,500 EV tax credit, and leased vehicles are not required to meet the qualifications listed above for EV purchases. Since the vehicle is still owned by the dealership, you must ask the dealer to pass along the EV tax credit to you in the form of a rebate or a reduction in the vehicle’s sales price. Many dealerships do pass this cost savings along to their customers, so don’t hesitate to ask if you are interested in an EV lease.

Used EVs are also eligible for a tax credit up to $4,000 or 30% of the purchase price and come with their own set of requirements as well.

• The state tax credit is now up to $6,000.
  
  In Colorado, the $3,500 state EV tax credit for new EV purchases or leases will be paid whether you owe that much tax or not. New EV lease agreements must have an initial term of at least two years. EVs with an MSRP under $35,000 will be eligible for an additional tax credit of $2,500.
• New EV purchases and leases may qualify for a federal tax credit up to $7,500.
  
  To receive the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit for new EV purchases, you must meet the specified requirements and have a federal tax burden for that year of $7,500 or more. Under the commercial clean vehicle credit, dealerships are eligible for the tax credit on EV leases. Some may choose to pass it along to their customers.
• Used EVs are also eligible.
  
  Used EVs that are purchased from dealerships and are under $25,000 may now be eligible for a federal tax credit up to $4,000.

To qualify for the full federal EV tax credit amount, an EV must not be made with minerals and materials from foreign entities of concern. Furthermore, 50% of the critical mineral components used must be domestically produced or come from a country in which the US has a free trade agreement with, and 60% of the battery components must have final assembly in North America.

The U.S. Department of Energy has created a list of eligible vehicles to help you determine whether they qualify for part or all of the federal tax credit.

Some utilities in Colorado also offer rebates towards the purchase of an EV or towards an at-home charging station.

• San Isabel Electric Association Customers
  
  San Isabel Electric Association customers may be eligible for a rebate of $500 with the purchase of an electric vehicle. Visit the SIEA website for more information.
• Black Hills Energy Customers
  
  Residential electricity customers who are income qualified may receive rebates of up to $3,000-$5,500 towards the purchase of a new or pre-owned EV. Visit the Black Hills Energy website for additional information.