$15,000 EV Tax Credit Bill Breakdown – Why it Probably Won’t Pass

On 22nd October 2026 Rep Greg Landsman (Democrat) introduced this bill (H.R.10881) called the 21st Century Vehicle Choice Act. This bill would bring back the federal EV credits that were removed last year, and double the core credit from $7,500 to $15,000.

However, as of 28th October 2026, the bill has no cosponsors, is in three committees within the House, and has virtually zero chance of passing due to the Republicans holding the majority in both chambers of Congress, and passing a bill to remove the credits that were signed by President Trump.

Overall, it’s just good to know the bill exists. If you’re purchasing an EV in the near future then you won’t get any Federal credits for new or used vehicles purchased after 30th September 2025.

This article will outline what the bill does, what the differences are, the likelihood of it passing and what it means for you. All information comes from Electrek and EVXL, who have read the text of the bill. We have not read the text.

As of 22nd October 2026 H.R.10881 has been introduced. The bill has been referred to the Ways and Means Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee and Natural Resources Committee. It currently has no cosponsors, and as of a week after introduction, still has no cosponsors.

The bill is currently pending, and will die at the end of the current Congress on 3rd January. In the House, if a bill is never voted on it simply dies.

The almost identical bill was introduced by Landsman on 25th October 2024, just 11 days before the election. The bill had no cosponsors and no hearings. It died in committee. This year’s bill is at the same point in the year (midterm elections on 3rd November).

S. 5215 has been introduced by Sen Catherine Cortez Masto in the Senate. As of August 3rd it has 4 cosponsors and sits in the Finance Committee.

There are a few social media posts in our search results claiming there is a bill backed by over 160 House Democrats to bring back the credit. However, we couldn’t verify these claims and they don’t align with our findings that the bill has no cosponsors. We have not used these sources.

Currently, the credit under the law before being repealed in 2025, had a base value of $7,500 new-EV credit from two halves: $3,750 for critical minerals and $3,750 tied to battery components. Electrek and EVXL both report that the bill raises each half to $7,500.

The credit is known as section 30D in the tax code. This bill brings back the credits and removes an end date, making it permanent.

The critical minerals and battery component tests remain unchanged. The final assembly in North America, $55,000 price cap for cars and $80,000 for SUVs, pick-ups and vans and foreign entity of concern rules are all unchanged.

Overall, this bill wouldn’t get you the full $15,000 as you’d need to meet the assembly, sourcing and price requirements, along with falling under the income requirements.

The new credit values wouldn’t apply until after the bill becomes law. Anyone purchasing after the old credit ended on 30th September 2025 wouldn’t get anything.

Currently the used EV credit is the lesser of $4,000 or 30 percent of the sale price. EVXL and Electrek report that the bill raises it to the lesser of $8,000 or 60 percent of the sale price.

The $25,000 sale-price ceiling for used vehicles stays in place. Because the credit is capped at 60 percent of the price, the full $8,000 value would require the vehicle to be sold for around $13,300 or more.

This is useful to know, as if you’re buying a used EV for around $20,000 you’d get the full credit. Whereas if you’re buying a very cheap used car you’d get 60% of the price.

The used EV credit is section 25E in the tax code. This bill would remove the end date.

The bill increases the charging equipment credit to 50% of the price, from 30%. The $1,000 limit per charger remains. The credit, which ended on 30th June 2026 under the 2025 law, would be reinstated.

In Landsman’s press release it is a tax deduction, however, in the bill it is a credit. This means it reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar, rather than reducing your taxable income.

With a $1,000 cap per charger, a 50 percent credit means the full benefit would apply to equipment and installation costs of up to $2,000. If your installation costs more than this, the credit would cover part of the bill and not all of it.

We don't have figures on installation costs in these reports, so we cannot say how typical $2,000 is. If you're going to install, speak to your local electricians for quotes.

Unfortunately for you, this bill isn’t as generous. The new EV credit has reduced income limits by 25%. These would be $225,000 for joint filers, $169,000 for heads of household and $112,500 for single filers (down from $300,000, $225,000 and $150,000).

The bill also includes a one off requirement. Anyone who has ever been able to claim the Section 30D credit in any previous tax year would get $0, as would anyone who had claimed it earlier in the same year.

Essentially if you claimed the old credit in 2023/2024 you wouldn’t be able to claim the new credit. This would mean more households would benefit from this credit, which aligns with the reduced income limits. However, the articles don’t state this was intentional.

Whilst the reduced income limits and one off are a good idea, this bill could still negatively affect the market. See below.

The bill has a number of reporting requirements. The Commerce Department would produce a Vehicle Choice Report and the Energy Department would report on critical minerals for 5 years.

The Energy Department would investigate gasoline super users (top 10% of light duty vehicle owners in terms of gas usage). They would identify the regions with most super users in 2 years, and track the availability of chargers for 5 years.

The idea of super users came from Coltura who support the bill. Presumably they want to incentivise those who use the most gas to switch.

Neither article mentioned how this bill would be funded. As it’s a bill to make 3 credits permanent, this would be part of any serious debate. However, there’s no indication this will happen anytime soon.

New EV Credit – Previously capped at $7,500 (two $3,750 halves). This bill would increase this to $15,000 (two $7,500 halves).

Used EV Credit – Previously the lesser of $4,000 or 30%. This bill would increase it to the lesser of $8,000 or 60%. The $25,000 price limit remains.

Home Charging Credit – Previously 30% of price (capped at $1,000). This would increase to 50%.

New EV Credit – Reduced income limits to $225,000 for joint filers, $169,000 for heads of household and $112,500 for single filers.

One Off – This is a new addition. No-one who has previously been able to claim the credit would get anything.

End Date – The old credits had an end date, however this bill would remove the end dates, making all 3 credits permanent.

Same –

Final Assembly in North America, $55,000 and $80,000 price limits, foreign entity of concern and sourcing requirements.

Overall this bill is mixed. It’s more generous per person, but less generous for higher earners and those wanting to purchase more than once. It has no end date.

30th September 2025 – The new and used EV credits ended for vehicles purchased after this date under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. There was a rush to purchase before the end date, and Q3 2025 was the best EV quarter ever in the US.

After – Sales of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 dropped by 63% the month after the credits ended. Automakers reduced their prices.

30th June 2026 – Home charging credit ended.

3rd August 2026 – S. 5215 was introduced by Sen Catherine Cortez Masto. The bill has 4 cosponsors and sits in the Finance Committee.

22nd October 2026 – H.R.10881 was introduced by Rep Landsman. Referred to 3 Committees.

28th October 2026 – Bill reported on. As of mid October, Cox Automotive reported 262,649 EV sales in Q3, an increase of 6.1% from Q2 and a decrease of 39.5% from last year.

3rd November 2026 – Midterm elections. Even if Democrats win the House and Senate the credit would be vetoed. Nothing is likely until 2029.

3rd January 2027 – Current Congress ends. If the bill hasn’t moved then H.R.10881 dies.

To put it simply, the chances of this bill passing are virtually zero. Both chambers are controlled by the Republicans and they passed the bill to remove the credits, which were signed by President Trump.

Even if the Democrats win the House and Senate in the midterm elections on 3rd November, the credit would be vetoed. Nothing is likely until 2029.

This bill is essentially a pre-election message. The 2024 version of the bill had no cosponsors or hearings.

Whilst predictions about Congress aren’t always accurate and sometimes they will bring back ideas in unexpected ways, there is no indication this bill has momentum.

This could hurt the market as people may hold off purchasing knowing they wouldn’t get the credit. The new values would only apply to vehicles placed into service after the bill becomes law, as stated by EVXL.

People may hold off purchasing knowing they’ll get a better subsidy. Whilst the chances of it passing are slim, it would be detrimental to the recovery of EV sales as they’re starting to recover from last year’s collapse.

Electrek also states they’d prefer to see a carbon tax on internal combustion vehicles, rather than tax credits. However, supporters of tax credits would disagree as they reduce the price for buyers immediately and help automakers plan.

Those supporting the bill would also point to Landsman's comment: 'We have to make life more affordable and give folks more choices.' Rob Sargent of Coltura is reported as saying drivers could save over $4,000 a year by switching to an EV. We couldn't verify this as it depends on gas prices, electricity prices and how much you drive.

Reasonable people will disagree on whether tax credits are the best way to encourage EV adoption. We’re neutral on this.

Don’t hold off. The bill wouldn’t help anyone who purchases before it becomes law and has very little chance of passing.

There is no Federal credit for new or used vehicles purchased after 30th September 2025. There are a wide variety of State, Local and Utility incentives. Have a look at your State Energy Office and Electric Utility.

Automakers have reduced their prices to compensate for the lack of credit. The 2026 Ioniq 5 has seen nearly $10,000 reductions on some trims. As of Q3, 262,649 EVs were sold, up 6.1% from Q2. The market is recovering without a Federal credit.

You’ll have to pay for your home charging as the Federal credit ended on 30th June 2026. Get some quotes.

If you’re hoping for a future credit, don’t get too excited. Even with this bill, you’d have income limits, a one off and price limits and sourcing requirements.

This is really a political statement and useful to know what a Democratic version of bringing back the credits would look like. Larger values, reduced income limits and one off.

Overall, forget about the headline figure and look at real prices, incentives and charging. The EV market has been trending towards lower prices without any help from Washington.

We haven’t read the bill text, however Electrek and EVXL agree on the key points. This is general information and not tax advice. Speak to a tax professional for your own situation.

Electrek, Dems Introduce New $15,000 EV Tax Credit Bill That Has No Chance, 28th October 2026: https://electrek.co/2026/10/28/15000-ev-tax-credit-bill-landsman-no-chance/ EVXL, House Bill Doubles EV Tax Credit to $15,000 But Only Once Per Buyer, 28th October 2026: https://evxl.co/2026/10/28/house-bill-15000-ev-tax-credit-once-per-buyer-landsman/ EVwire, Ohio Rep. Greg Landsman Introduces Bill to Bring Back EV Tax Credits, 28th October 2026: https://evwire.com/p/ohio-rep-greg-landsman-bill-ev-tax-credit-return-15k-new-evs Cox Automotive, Q3 2026 EV Sales Report Commentary: https://coxautoinc.com/insights/q3-2026-ev-sales-report-commentary