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According to khabarkhodro, A $7,500 credit for new EVs might return, but only for vehicles with materials sourced from the US or preferred trade partners.
A new climate bill has passed the United States Senate
that, among other things, includes a revamped $7,500 tax credit for electric
cars from all automakers. It’s a source of some discussion, however, as there's
a possibility it may not apply to a majority of new EVs sold in the US right
now. And if nothing changes, no new EVs would be eligible in a few years.
We're talking about the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022,
which passed the US Senate over the weekend. Among the provisions is the
aforementioned tax credit, which is basically an updated version of the current
credit. Now, the sales cap is removed, meaning companies like Toyota and
General Motors can claim the credit once more. But starting in 2024, EV
batteries used by automakers must contain at least 40 percent of materials
sourced either in the United States, or from friendly trade partners of the US.
In 2029, that goes all the way to 100 percent.
That could present a problem, according to The Verge.
China currently has a significant presence in battery production, and the
country isn't on the list of friendly trade partners. The article cites the
Alliance for Automotive Innovation as saying 70 percent of EVs currently on
sale in the US won't meet the 40 percent threshold in 2024. If current battery
manufacturing practices stay on course, there won't be a single EV eligible for
the credit in 2029.
It's important to note that, as of August 8, the
Inflation Reduction Act hasn't been finalized. It still needs to go through the
US House of Representatives, where amendments could take place. The Verge also
mentions the possibility of automakers applying for waivers to bypass the
requirement, so the future of the tax credit as it currently stands is still
uncertain.
In the meantime, automakers are stepping up battery
production in the United States. Hyundai is investing $5.4 billion in Georgia
for battery and EV manufacturing. Ford is investing $11.4 billion for new
facilities in Kentucky and Tennessee. Stellantis recently announced a
$2.8-billion investment for battery production in Canada.
