Democrat Introduces $15,000 EV Tax Credit Bill With No Cosponsors
The proposed '21st Century Vehicle Choice Act' faces a veto and lacks support in a Republican-controlled Congress, risking buyer hesitation.
Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH) has introduced the "21st Century Vehicle Choice Act," a bill proposing a $15,000 federal tax credit for new electric vehicles and $8,000 for used ones. While the legislation aims to revive incentives repealed earlier this year, it currently has zero cosponsors and faces significant political hurdles that make enactment unlikely in the near term.
What Happened
Landsman introduced H.R. 10881 on October 22, referring it to the House Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources committees. The bill seeks to double the previous $7,500 credit under Section 30D of the tax code by increasing each of the two $3,750 halves (for critical minerals and battery components) to $7,500. It also proposes removing termination dates for new, used, and home charger credits, effectively making them permanent. Additionally, the bill would lower income caps for new EV buyers by 25%, restrict the credit to once per taxpayer, and increase the charging equipment credit from 30% to 50% of the cost. The legislation does not alter existing restrictions such as North American final assembly requirements, MSRP caps, or foreign entity of concern rules.
Why It Matters
The bill’s timing and lack of support pose a potential risk to the fragile recovery of the US EV market. Following the repeal of previous credits by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, US EV sales collapsed, with Q3 2026 sales down 39.5% year-over-year to 262,649 units. Although sales have risen 6.1% since Q2, the market remains sensitive to policy signals. Headlines promising a $15,000 credit could encourage buyers to wait for a policy change that has no realistic path to enactment before 2029, given Republican control of Congress and the presidency. This hesitation could undermine current price cuts from automakers like Hyundai, which have reduced prices on models like the Ioniq 5 by nearly $10,000 to offset the loss of federal incentives.
The Bottom Line
The "21st Century Vehicle Choice Act" is largely viewed as a messaging piece rather than a viable legislative proposal, mirroring an identical bill Landsman introduced in 2024 that also died in committee. With no cosponsors and a veto threat, the bill is unlikely to pass before the next presidential term. Consumers are advised to focus on current market deals rather than waiting for a federal credit that remains speculative.
