Want to Save Money? Buy an EV.

EV drivers come out ahead when accounting for fueling and maintenance. With the low cost of at-home charging and government incentives, driving an EV is more affordable than it's ever been.

Are EVs affordable?

The average price of an electric vehicle is very close to the average price of a gas-powered vehicle. According to Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price for a new vehicle in December 2023 was $48,759, while the average transaction price of a new electric vehicle was $50,798.

Many EV models that cost the same or less than a gas-powered vehicle are also already available, with new models entering the market to meet growing demand. Additionally, the used EV market is growing at a fast pace, which will provide flexible budget options for more prospective car buyers. Pre-owned vehicles account for 70% of car sales in the US.

But up front costs are only part of the story when it comes to EV affordability. Over the lifetime of the vehicle, an EV is expected to save drivers $6,000-$12,000 due to lower fueling and maintenance costs when compared to a gas-powered vehicle.

ZETA ANALYSIS
EVs vs. Gas-Powered Vehicles Cost Savings Report
⚡️Pro Tip!

Many electricity providers have programs designed to help EV drivers install at-home Level 2 charging, access lower electricity rates, and other incentives. Check with your local provider to see if you can benefit from some of these programs!

What should I know about these tax credits?

Federal and state-level tax credits are available to help lower the cost of new and used EVs for drivers.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes credits that help reduce the cost of new and used EVs, as well as at-home charging equipment, for eligible individuals.

Meanwhile, many states and local governments offer incentives to transition to zero emission transportation.

Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (New Vehicles)
Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (Used Vehicles)
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Infrastructure Tax Credit (Charging Infrastructure)
Credit

Up to $7,500

Up to $4,000 or 30% of vehicle cost, whichever is lower

Individual Credit: $1,000 or 30% of the installed cost or whichever is of lesser value.

Census Tract Required.

Eligibility

Maximum Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for credit eligibility:

  • $150,000 for Single filers
  • $225,000 for Heads of Households
  • $300,000 for Joint filers

Maximum vehicle MSRP for credit eligibility:

  • $80,000 for vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks;
  • $55,000 for all other vehicles.

Vehicles must meet manufacturing criteria to be eligible.

Maximum AGI for credit eligibility:

  • $75,000 Single
  • $112,500 Head of Household
  • $150,000 Join filers.

Maximum vehicle sale price for eligibility: $25,000

Census Tract Requirement: Limits eligibility to infrastructure installed as defined by 45D(E) census tracts and non-urban census tracts:

  • A population census tract where the poverty rate is at least 20%, or
  • Non-metropolitan area: the median family income < 80% of the statewide median family income
  • Metro-area: the median family income < 80% of statewide median family income or the metropolitan area median family income
Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (New Vehicles)
Credit

Up to $7,500

Eligibility

Maximum Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) for credit eligibility:

  • $150,000 for Single filers
  • $225,000 for Heads of Households
  • $300,000 for Joint filers

Maximum vehicle MSRP for credit eligibility:

  • $80,000 for vans, SUVs, and pickup trucks;
  • $55,000 for all other vehicles.

Vehicles must meet manufacturing criteria to be eligible.

Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (Used Vehicles)
Credit

Up to $4,000 or 30% of vehicle cost, whichever is lower

Eligibility

Maximum AGI for credit eligibility:

  • $75,000 Single
  • $112,500 Head of Household
  • $150,000 Join filers.

Maximum vehicle sale price for eligibility: $25,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Infrastructure Tax Credit (Charging Infrastructure)
Credit

Individual Credit: $1,000 or 30% of the installed cost or whichever is of lesser value.

Census Tract Required.

Eligibility

Census Tract Requirement: Limits eligibility to infrastructure installed as defined by 45D(E) census tracts and non-urban census tracts:

  • A population census tract where the poverty rate is at least 20%, or
  • Non-metropolitan area: the median family income < 80% of the statewide median family income
  • Metro-area: the median family income < 80% of statewide median family income or the metropolitan area median family income

What about the battery?

One common misconception about EVs is that the battery will require replacement, similar to batteries in gas-powered vehicles. This is extremely unlikely. An analysis by Recurrent showed that only 1.5% of vehicles analyzed required a replacement (excluding manufacturer recalls that resulted in a battery replacement).

Your battery is likely to outlast the vehicle that surrounds it—in fact, most EV batteries will be repurposed for other uses after the vehicle is retired, such as for energy storage or recycled content for new EV batteries.

Battery warranties cover the cost of a battery replacement if necessary. The federal minimum warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles—longer than most gas-powered vehicle powertrain warranties!

Show Your Support

We are building a network of individual supporters of electric vehicles.

Submit your contact information to join our list of zero emission transportation advocates around the world. We'll keep you up to date on news, legislation, and future advocacy opportunities.
Mission

We are a first-of-its-kind coalition committed to cleaner transportation.

About ZETA

National policies to support 100% electric vehicle sales.

The Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA) is a federal coalition focused on advocating for 100% EV sales. Enacting policies that drive EV adoption will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, secure American global EV manufacturing dominance, drastically improve public health, and significantly reduce carbon pollution.