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Section 30C is the last federal tax credit available to homeowners for any residential energy improvement. The solar ITC is gone. The heat pump credit is gone. This is it. Up to $1,000 residential / $100,000 commercial per unit — but only if installed before the deadline.
81 days (11 weeks)
until Section 30C expires forever
Up to $1,000
Up to $100K/unit
$0 — Zero
Quick Answer
The Section 30C EV charger tax credit expires June 30, 2026 — not December 31 like most people assume. It is the last remaining federal residential energy tax credit after the solar ITC (25D) and heat pump credit (25C) both expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners can claim 30% of installation costs up to $1,000. Commercial properties can claim up to $100,000 per charging unit. The property must be in an eligible census tract. No extension legislation has been introduced.
Section 30C of the Internal Revenue Code — officially the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit — provides a federal tax credit for installing EV charging equipment at your home or business. It covers both the charger hardware and professional installation labor.
Originally enacted as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, Section 30C was extended and modified by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in 2022. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed on July 4, 2025, the credit now expires on June 30, 2026.
What makes this deadline extraordinary is context. Every other residential energy tax credit is already gone:
| Credit | Section | Status | Max Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential Solar ITC | 25D | Expired Dec 31, 2025 | 30% of system cost |
| Energy Efficiency (Heat Pumps, etc.) | 25C | Expired Dec 31, 2025 | $2,000/yr |
| EV Charger Installation | 30C | Active — Expires June 30, 2026 | $1,000 residential / $100K commercial |
Commercial solar ITC (Section 48/48E) remains available for third-party system owners with projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. Homeowners purchasing solar systems directly receive no federal tax credit.
Most federal tax credits expire on December 31 of a given year. Section 30C is different. The OBBBA set a June 30, 2026 expiration — a mid-year cutoff that surprises homeowners and tax professionals alike.
This matters because of how installation timelines work. An EV charger installation is not instant — it involves ordering equipment, scheduling an electrician, pulling permits, and completing inspection. That process takes 3 to 8 weeks depending on your area and the complexity of the electrical work.
The key rule: your charger must be installed and placed in service by June 30, 2026. Not ordered. Not purchased. Not scheduled. Installed and operational.
Now — March 2026
Check census tract eligibility
Use the IRS locator to confirm your property qualifies. If it does, schedule your installation.
April 2026
Book your installation
Electricians get booked 3-6 weeks out. April is the last comfortable window to schedule and complete by the deadline.
May 2026
Final window for installation
Last realistic month to get installed. Supply chain delays or permit issues could push past the deadline. Do not wait.
June 1-30, 2026
Absolute last chance
Charger must be installed AND placed in service by June 30. Not ordered — installed. Cutting it close risks losing the credit entirely.
July 1, 2026
Credit drops to $0
No federal tax credit for EV charger installations. No residential energy credits remain at all.
Up to $1,000
30% of total installation cost
Typical Savings Examples
Up to $100,000
30% of cost, per charging unit
Commercial Savings Examples
Not every property qualifies for the Section 30C credit. Starting in 2023, the IRA added a geographic restriction: your EV charger must be installed at a property located in either a low-income community or a non-urban (rural) census tract.
This sounds restrictive, but the qualifying area is far broader than most people realize. "Non-urban" covers most of suburban and rural America. "Low-income community" does not mean you personally need to be low-income — it refers to the census tract's classification.
Even within cities, some census tracts qualify. The only way to know for certain is to check your specific address.
Use the Department of Energy's AFVR Property Eligibility Locator or the IRS Section 30C page to enter your property address. You will get an immediate yes/no answer.
Check before you schedule installation. If your property is not in an eligible tract, the credit is not available regardless of when you install.
Any new Level 2 (240-volt) or Level 3 DC fast charger qualifies for the Section 30C credit. Both hardwired and plug-in (NEMA 14-50) models are eligible. The charger must be new — used or refurbished units do not qualify.
Here are our top picks for residential EV charger installations, all of which qualify for the credit and are available for installation before the June 30 deadline:
Works with all EVs (J1772 + NACS)
Best for: Tesla owners who want multi-car flexibility
Price
$595
Amps
48A
Range/Hr
44 mi
Wi-Fi enabled, energy tracking
Best for: Homeowners who want smart features + monitoring
Price
$699
Amps
50A
Range/Hr
37 mi
Best budget option, solar integration
Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, solar homes
Price
$399
Amps
48A
Range/Hr
37 mi
Built-in holster, NEMA 4 outdoor rated
Best for: Outdoor installations, harsh weather areas
Price
$649
Amps
50A
Range/Hr
37 mi
Made in Canada, rugged build, no Wi-Fi
Best for: Cold climate reliability, no-frills durability
Price
$449
Amps
40A
Range/Hr
30 mi
If you are considering solar panels for your home, adding an EV charger during the same installation is one of the smartest moves you can make right now. Here is why:
Bundling saves $300-$500 on mobilization costs since the electrical crew is already on site. Your electrician can run the 240V circuit while doing the solar interconnection.
A typical EV adds 3,000-5,000 kWh/year to your electricity use. That's 6-10 additional solar panels to offset, saving you $600-$1,200 per year in fuel costs versus gasoline.
Planning solar and EV charging together ensures your system is sized to handle both loads. Adding panels later is more expensive per watt than including them upfront.
Add a battery and you can charge your EV from stored solar energy overnight, even during grid outages. True energy independence for transportation and home power.
The residential solar ITC (Section 25D) expired on December 31, 2025. Homeowners who buy solar systems in 2026 receive no federal tax credit on the solar portion. However, your solar system still pays for itself through electricity savings — typically in 8-12 years depending on your state and utility rates. The EV charger credit (30C) is separate and still available through June 30, 2026.
Third-party ownership (lease/PPA) structures may still access the commercial ITC (Section 48/48E) for projects beginning construction before July 4, 2026. Learn more about solar lease vs. buy options.
The commercial Section 30C credit is one of the most generous — and most underutilized — tax credits available to businesses today. At up to $100,000 per charging unit, the math is compelling for any business considering employee or customer charging.
Apartment Complexes
Install chargers for residents. Credit per unit means 10 chargers = up to $300,000 in credits.
Retail / Restaurants
Customer-facing chargers increase dwell time and foot traffic while earning tax credits.
Office Buildings
Employee charging as a benefit. Reduces recruitment costs and meets ESG commitments.
Hotels / Hospitality
EV charging is becoming a booking decision factor. Capture the growing EV driver market.
Fleets / Logistics
Electrify your fleet vehicles with depot charging. Credits offset infrastructure costs.
Parking Garages
Monetize parking spaces with paid EV charging. Credits reduce payback period significantly.
Total Cost
$85,000
30C Credit (30%)
$25,500
Net Cost
$59,500
Per Charger
$5,950
After July 1, 2026, the same installation costs $85,000 with zero credit offset. That is $25,500 left on the table.
Verify your census tract eligibility
Use the DOE/IRS locator tool to confirm your property is in a qualifying census tract before making any purchase decisions.
Purchase and install a qualifying EV charger
Buy a new Level 2 or Level 3 charger. Have it professionally installed by a licensed electrician. Ensure the installation is complete and the charger is operational on or before June 30, 2026.
Keep all documentation
Save your receipt/invoice showing the charger cost and installation labor separately. Keep the installation date documented. Save confirmation of your eligible census tract status.
File IRS Form 8911
When you file your 2026 federal tax return (typically by April 15, 2027), complete IRS Form 8911 — Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. The credit amount flows to your Form 1040.
Apply the credit to your tax liability
The credit is non-refundable — it reduces your federal income tax dollar-for-dollar up to the cap. If your tax liability is less than the credit, you cannot get the excess back as a refund. Commercial entities can carry forward unused credit.
Since the credit is non-refundable, make sure your 2026 federal income tax liability is at least $1,000 to get the full benefit. If your tax liability is lower (for example, due to other credits or low income), you will only offset what you owe. Most homeowners with W-2 income well exceed the $1,000 threshold. Consult your tax advisor for personalized guidance.
The Section 30C EV charger tax credit expires on June 30, 2026. This is NOT December 31 like most tax credits — it has a mid-year expiration set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed in July 2025. Your charger must be installed and placed in service on or before June 30, 2026.
Yes. As of 2026, Section 30C is the only remaining federal residential energy tax credit. The residential solar ITC (Section 25D) expired December 31, 2025 and the energy efficiency credit (Section 25C) for heat pumps, insulation, and water heaters also expired December 31, 2025. After June 30, 2026, there are zero federal residential energy tax credits.
For homeowners, the credit is 30% of total installation cost (equipment + labor), capped at $1,000. For commercial properties, the credit is 30% of cost per charging unit, capped at $100,000 per station. The credit is non-refundable — it can only reduce your federal tax liability, not generate a refund.
Your property must be in an eligible census tract — either a low-income community or a non-urban (rural) area. This is broader than most people expect. Many suburban and rural areas qualify. Check your address using the IRS Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit eligibility locator or the DOE AFVR Property Eligibility Locator.
Any new Level 2 (240V) or Level 3 DC fast charger qualifies, including hardwired and plug-in models. The charger must be new (not used or refurbished) and installed at an eligible location. Both the equipment cost and professional installation labor count toward the credit. Popular qualifying chargers include the Tesla Wall Connector, ChargePoint Home Flex, and Emporia Smart Charger.
The IRS does not explicitly require professional installation for the credit itself, but most jurisdictions require a licensed electrician for 240V electrical work to pass inspection. We strongly recommend professional installation for safety, code compliance, and to ensure your installation documentation supports your tax credit claim.
If you are considering solar, bundling with EV charger installation saves on mobilization costs and lets you size your solar system to offset your EV charging load — typically adding 2-4 kW (5-9 extra panels). While the residential solar ITC (25D) is no longer available, your solar system still pays for itself through electricity savings, and the EV charger credit applies separately.
File IRS Form 8911 (Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit) with your 2026 federal tax return. You will need the receipt/invoice showing equipment and installation costs, the date of installation, and confirmation your property is in an eligible census tract. The credit flows to your Form 1040 and reduces your tax liability dollar-for-dollar up to the cap.
As of March 2026, no legislation has been introduced to extend Section 30C beyond June 30, 2026. The OBBBA that set this date was passed with a clear intent to phase out clean energy credits. No extension is expected. If you want this credit, act before the deadline.
The $100,000 commercial credit cap is per individual charging unit, not per location. A business installing 5 Level 2 stations at $10,000 each could claim $3,000 per unit ($15,000 total). This makes the commercial credit extremely valuable for multi-unit installations at apartment complexes, parking garages, and workplaces.
The Section 30C EV charger tax credit expires June 30, 2026 — and it is not coming back. Get a free quote for EV charger installation and lock in your credit before the deadline.
Free site assessment. Professional installation. We handle permits and inspections.
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