Thinking About Going Electric or Solar? Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Wait

If you’ve been thinking about buying an electric vehicle or installing solar panels on your home, now’s the time to stop thinking and start doing. The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), signed into law on July 4, 2025, has officially changed the timeline for several clean energy tax credits, and the window to take advantage of them is closing fast.

Let’s walk through what’s changing, what it means for you, and how to make sure you don’t miss out.

What’s Going Away and When

The OBBB shortens or eliminates several key clean energy incentives that many taxpayers have come to rely on. If you’re planning to buy an electric vehicle, the federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for new EVs and $4,000 for used ones is now set to expire on September 30, 2025. That’s not the end of the year—it’s the end of this summer. If you want to claim the credit, you’ll need to have your vehicle purchased and placed in service by that date.

The credit for installing a home EV charging station is available a bit longer, ending on June 30, 2026. That gives you a little more time, but with rising demand and potential supply chain delays, it’s smart to plan ahead.

For homeowners looking to go solar or make energy-efficient upgrades, the timeline is even tighter. The 30 percent tax credit for residential solar systems and battery storage is available through December 31, 2025. But here’s the key detail: your system must be fully installed and operational by that date. Just signing a contract or starting the work won’t qualify.

The same rule applies to the energy-efficient home improvement credit, which covers upgrades like heat pumps, insulation, windows, and doors. That credit also ends on December 31, 2025, and again, the work must be completed and in service by year-end to qualify.

Why This Matters

These credits were originally expected to last through 2032 under the Inflation Reduction Act. The OBBB changed that. And now that the bill is law, we’re already seeing the ripple effects. Solar companies are booking out months in advance. EV inventories are tightening. If you wait too long, you might miss the deadline—not because you didn’t try, but because the market couldn’t keep up.

What You Can Do Now

Here’s what I recommend.

• Start your solar project now. Most systems take a few months from contract to completion. If you wait until fall, you may be cutting it too close.
• If you’re in the market for an EV, don’t wait. With the credit ending in September, summer is your best window to buy.
• Talk to your tax advisor, as timing matters. For residential credits, the IRS requires that the project be fully installed and operational by the deadline.
• Don’t assume. Get advice to evaluate what qualifies and determine the benefits.
• Plan ahead for EV chargers and home upgrades. Even if you’re not ready to install this year, knowing the deadlines helps you make smart decisions.

Final Thoughts

The One Big Beautiful Bill has reshaped the clean energy landscape in a big way. If you’re thinking about making a move, 2025 is your window. After that, many of the incentives we’ve come to rely on will either shrink or disappear altogether.

If you have questions or want help understanding how these changes affect your specific situation, Jones & Roth is here to help. Let’s make a plan that works for you and make sure you don’t leave valuable tax savings on the table.