A sweet goodbye to the electric vehicle tax credit

After a visit to my family in Missouri, my dad would drive me back to Iowa City in his electric car. It’s been a couple of years since he got it, but it still works smoothly, driving quickly down the highway. It’s a nice drive, talking with my dad while his music plays softly over the speakers and laughing when he gets frustrated by those who drive slowly in the left lane.

My dad says maintenance of the car is very simple: there are no oil changes required, just occasional software downloads that can be done from the comfort of our own home. A lot can be done at home now, like charging the car so it has a full battery whenever you need to leave. He also saves money on gas as electricity is a lot cheaper. Most days he sees up to a 50% difference!

He likes to say his favorite part is how environmentally friendly the car is, and he is right: Electric cars are much better for the environment than traditional cars, producing no tailpipe emissions while having an overall smaller Carbon footprint. However, I know the real reason is that he likes how fast the car accelerates — it feels like a rocket ship taking off.

I already have a lot of good memories in this car, which was only feasible thanks to a clean energy tax credit saving him $7,500 from the original price. A federal effort to expand charging stations across the country makes the long drive to Iowa comfortable and stress-free with ample places to stop and charge on route. I’ve been impressed by how enjoyable it can be to save on gas while saving the environment.

Unfortunately, the clean energy tax credit that helped our family to cut down on household costs, while traveling in style, will not be available after this month.

On Sept. 30, the tax credit for electric vehicles will end. I am thankful for the clean energy tax credits for all the good memories in that car, and if anyone is thinking about purchasing an electric car, there is no better time than now while you can still access that $7,500 incentive.

These opportunities do not have to be gone forever. In recent years, we’ve seen how congressional action that gets behind clean energy benefits constituents and brings jobs and investments to our state. It was disappointing that the Republican majority Congress rolled back many of these opportunities for constituents with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst are well aware of how clean energy helps our state collectively and individually. They worked to soften some of the rollbacks of the bill.

Moving forward, I urge our members of Congress to keep thinking about how clean energy, the economy, and the health of our environment can go hand in hand in thoughtful, America first policy. I also urge them to take a drive in an electric car — they’ll realize how fun it can be.

Elle Murphy lives in Iowa City.