CNN
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Is the Ford Mustang Mach-E an SUV? How in regards to the Tesla Mannequin Y? Relying on which department of the US authorities you ask, the reply could possibly be “Sure,” “No,” or “It relies upon.”
With new guidelines now in impact for electrical automobile tax credit, that reply may imply hundreds of {dollars} to some automobile patrons and plenty of cash to automaker earnings. Underneath the brand new laws, automobile patrons can’t declare tax credit for automobiles costing greater than $55,000. However, for SUVs, the sticker value will be as excessive as $80,000. Till now, the Treasury Division thought of the Mustang Mach-E a automobile, not an SUV, for functions of tax credit. Similar with the Tesla Mannequin Y, until it was geared up with a 3rd row of seats.
When you search the Environmental Safety Company’s FuelEconomy.gov web site for electrical SUVs, although, you’ll each these fashions seem in your search no matter what number of seats they’ve. The tax guidelines appeared to defy each frequent sense and what the EPA was saying. So the US Treasury Division introduced on Friday that it was altering issues in order that the Treasury Division’s definition of an SUV will now adjust to the “consumer-facing” normal the EPA makes use of on fuel-economy labels and on its site.
Earlier than, the Treasury Division had been counting on automobile definitions utilized by the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Administration to manage Company Common Gas Financial system laws. The so-called CAFE definitions of automobiles are sometimes completely different from what the common American may suppose based mostly on a automobile’s form. Additionally, underneath the CAFE definitions, the identical automobile could be outlined as an SUV when geared up with sure choices however as a automobile with out these options.
The Volkswagen ID.4, could be thought of an SUV underneath CAFE when geared up with all-wheel-drive, however a automobile if not. Underneath the requirements utilized by the EPA for its web site, these automobiles are SUVs regardless of how they’re geared up.
“This alteration will enable crossover automobiles that share comparable options to be handled persistently,” the Treasury Division stated in an announcement.
Not each automobile that an automaker markets as an SUV will essentially qualify, although. The Chevrolet Bolt EUV, for instance, retains the $55,000 cap, regardless that GM has known as it a crossover SUV model of the Bolt hatchback. The traces dividing automobiles from SUVs are, in lots of circumstances, fairly imprecise, stated Chris Harto, a senior coverage analyst for Client Studies.
“In lots of circumstances, they’re actually simply hatchbacks and station wagons with, you realize, barely higher advertising,” he stated.
Individuals who had bought a automobile since January 1. 2023 and who didn’t qualify for a tax credit score underneath the previous guidelines could now qualify, Treasury stated in its announcement. No automobiles are dropping eligibility based mostly on this rule change, Treasury stated.
