U.S. Automakers and dealers are scrambling to figure out if they can still offer $7,500 tax credits to would-be buyers of electric vehicles (EVs); as Congress prepares for final votes today on a bill that includes a top-to-bottom overhaul of Washington’s clean vehicle policies.
Under the $430 billion climate, health care and tax bill that the House of Representatives is to vote; rules governing the current $7,500 EV tax credit aimed at persuading consumers to buy the vehicles; would be replace by incentives to bring more battery and EV manufacturing into the United States.
Manufacturers, dealers and consumers do not have answers to many basic questions about how the new rules will affect the way clean vehicles aim at consumers – including fully electric and hybrid models – will be bought, sold and built, automakers, consultants and lobbyists said.
However, industry executives were more positive about proposed incentives of up to $40,000 per vehicle; for larger commercial electric vehicles, such as Tesla Inc’s (TSLA.O) Semi or electric commercial vans developed by several manufacturers.