Now is a good time to start researching EVs.

Hey, folks!

For those who know me on a more personal level, they know me as someone who wants for EV adoption to grow across the US, and that I am a fan of right-sized transportation.

After all, why would you drive a whistlin' turbo diesel 10 blocks to a grocery store just to get yourself a six pack of Cold Snack, a 4-piece fried chicken and a pound of jojos, when you could have whispered over there in a Blue Sky Designs Bug-E for a fraction of the cost?

2024, US EV Tax Credits, and the inexorable march of progress

Some days ago, I read in our news app that starting in 2024 in the US, the program that offers tax credits for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids will move to an up-front model, effectively putting the cash in the dealer's hands and gnawing off up to $4,000 on used, or $7,500 on new EVs and plug-in hybrids at time of purchase.

There are limitations on vehicle pricing and country of origin for both used and new vehicles, but the ultimate goal is to encourage people to make the move across from petrol to plug-ins.

I do like this direction, because it pushes people to consider vehicles that are electrified in some manner, especially in areas with primarily clean generated power (e.g. hydroelectricity, geothermal, solar, wind).

Wish list

If anything, I would wish for electric vehicle kits to also be eligible for a tax credit, so long as you can prove the kit has been subsequently assembled, titled, and tagged for road use, as well as credits for electric motorcycles and mopeds, to encourage that right-sized transportation adoption.

While Country of Origin restrictions are understandable, it does limit the options of the people to buy what they would like, especially when the eligible US-built brands are few and far in between.

This may stunt EV adoption a little longer, but we'll see.

Thinking about state incentives

This does make me wonder if states that offer an EV credit will have any changes to their programs.
Before The Prisoning, I lived on the Left Coast, out in Oregon. I was amazed that they offered their own rebate of up to $2,500 or $5,000 (income bracket depending), so long as you lived in the state for two years after receiving said rebate.

For someone who qualified for the $5,000 rebate there, finding a new vehicle that was affordable, made in the US, and eligible for both of the rebates means knocking off up to a whopping $12,500 of the cost of a brand new EV or Hybrid.

Further, with several manufacturers in North America agreeing to use the NACS connector found on Tesla vehicles, buying a ride with that connector type would be a very safe hedge to ensure charging is available wherever you go.

What would I drive?

Personally, I still want an Arcimoto FUV, a Bug-E, or a UBCO 2×2 for my in-town roll-abouts, but I would also love to have a catalog of vehicles and their specs for US-based manufacturers that qualify for the rebate from the federal government, as well as what rebates states offer.
That way, I could make a more informed decision on my long range ride.

I'm not looking for bonkers amounts of moving speed; I want performance in the form of range. Let me do Interstate speeds without cooking the battery off under my butt, and not having to spend seven hours recharging to go home.

I'm combatting diesel whistle pollution, one electron at a time.
How about you? :)

Remember that this is our Starship Earth. We must treat xyr better, lest xe leaves us feeling sorry for ourselves as we gasp in suffering.

Take care of the you in the now, and the us in the next.
👋🏾