EV tax credits charge into the deadlines this Tuesday

SALISBURY, Md. — Electric vehicle tax breaks hit the brakes Tuesday.

Tesla owner John Rivera said, “I think electric cars are better for the environment. And so, you know, you would want to encourage someone to get an electric car. Having that cut out doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

Electric vehicle owners said the tax break was part of the enticement.

Electric vehicle owner Julie Peters said, “It was a one-time tax credit. It was $7,500 from the federal government at the time. The state was also offering $2,500, but we did not file in time to receive that one.”

The rebate was added to their tax refund that year. Peters said it was one of the reasons she bought the car.

“I think some people would not even consider buying EVs without that incentive. That was the reason we bought one,” Peters said.

Salisbury Chamber of Commerce President Bill Chambers said EV sales may dip but they are not going anywhere.

“E-vehicles are here to stay. They are very popular in Europe and overseas. Maryland has one of the highest ownership rates of EVs. About 120,000 Marylanders own an electric vehicle.”

Chambers predicted that as the technology becomes more advanced, EVs will become more accessible to everyone.

“We’re not going to see gasoline-powered vehicles disappear anytime in my lifetime, probably not in my grandparents’ lifetime. But as a nation and as a world, our energy consumption is doing nothing but going up. We need to find alternate ways to balance the books. EVs are one of those ways.”