By Kali Kotoski
October 4, 2020
The Inflation Reduction Act recently signed into law by President Biden fails to support the motorcycle industry’s push into the electrification of two-wheeled transportation by not including tax credits meant to lower the cost of EVs.
The law aims to reshape the nation’s energy sector and spur the production and demand of electric automobiles to foster widespread consumer adoption. Currently, most electric vehicles are too expensive for many Americans, and e-vehicle infrastructure is lagging, as well.
The law includes a $7,500 tax credit at the point of sale for new EVs and $4,000 for used EVs. The new tax credits replace the old incentive system, which included a $7,500 credit for new EVs and set a manufacturing cap on automakers. Beginning January 1, 2023, the cap no longer exists, and the credit scheme lasts until 2032.
However, electric motorcycles were left on the cutting room floor after Congress failed to revive a federal tax credit for motorcycles that expired on the first of this year.
“The AMA was very disappointed to see the entire electric motorcycle tax credit provision eliminated in the bill,” said AMA Director of Government Relations Michael Sayre. “The AMA worked very hard with the electric motorcycle industry to save the program.”
The ill-fated Build Back Better Act, a precursor to the Inflation Reduction Act, included and sought to extend the electric motorcycle tax credit and triple the incentive to up to 30 percent of the purchase price, with a cap of $7,500.
“We believe any incentive that’s ex- tended to those buying electric vehicles with four wheels should be extended to those buying an electric motorcycle,” added Sayre.
The electric motorcycle industry and the AMA are already working with supportive members of Congress to introduce the electric motorcycle tax credit in future legislation.
“We have and will continue to engage with members of Congress to promote incentives for electric motorcycles and more choices for consumers,” said Har- ley-Davidson VP Communications and Corporate Relations George Prassas. “Manufacturing as well as EV credits for all types of vehicles are essential to ensuring America leads the transportation industry.”
Since Harley-Davidson’s debut of the electric motorcycle LiveWire in 2019, the company and its sub-brand have sold 1,648 units.
A credit is available for the purchase of a new qualified two-wheeled plug-in electric drive vehicle that draws propulsion using a traction battery that has at least 2.5 kilowatt hours (kWh) of capacity, uses an external source of energy to recharge the battery, has a gross vehicle weight rating of up to 14,000 pounds, is manufactured primarily for use on public roadways, and can drive at least 45 miles per hour. The credit is for 10% of the cost of the qualified vehicle, up to $2,500. For more information about claiming the credit, see the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Plug-In Electric Vehicle Credit website and IRS Form 8936, which is available on the IRS Forms and Publications website. (Reference Public Law 116-260, Public Law 116-94, Public Law 115-123, Public Law 114-113, and 26 U.S. Code 30D)
Point of Contact
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Phone: (800) 829-1040
http://www.irs.gov/