Tesla $7,500 Tax Credit Ending: What You Need to Know Before September 30th

Tesla $7,500 Federal Tax Credit Ending: Act Now Before September 30th, 2025

Hey everyone, DennisCW here! Welcome back to another update on all things Tesla and electric vehicles (EVs). I know I’m a bit late to the party on this one, but I realized I hadn’t officially announced this critical news to my amazing community. So, let’s dive right in: the $7,500 federal tax credit for Tesla and other EVs is officially ending. President Trump signed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” on July 4th, and with roughly 90 days left, you’ve got until September 30th, 2025, to take advantage of this credit. If you’re in the market for a Tesla or any EV, this is your fair warning to act fast. Let’s break down what this means, some potential silver linings, and other hot Tesla topics I’ve covered in my latest stream.

The End of the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit: Why It Matters

For those who’ve been following the EV space, the $7,500 federal tax credit has been a game-changer in making electric vehicles more affordable. Whether you’re buying a Tesla Model 3, Model Y, or even a Rivian or Hummer EV, this credit has helped offset the upfront cost. However, with the signing of this bill, that incentive is disappearing as of September 30th, 2025.

Key Takeaway: If you’re planning to purchase an EV and want to claim this credit, you need to finalize your purchase and take delivery by the deadline. Don’t wait for last-minute logistical delays to push you past the cutoff date. And here’s a pro tip: even if you don’t qualify for the credit due to income limits, consider leasing a vehicle. Leasing often allows you to bypass those restrictions and still benefit from the credit through the leasing company. For instance, I recently discussed a Hummer EV deal at $599/month that leverages this credit—pretty sweet, right?

If you’re eyeing a Tesla specifically, don’t forget to use a referral code (like mine in the description of my videos) to snag 3 months of Full Self-Driving (FSD) for free. It’s a nice bonus and supports the channel too!

A Small Silver Lining: No Tax on Car Loan Interest

While the loss of the $7,500 credit stings, there’s a small consolation in the new bill: no tax on car loan interest for vehicles built in the US. This means you can write off the interest you pay on your auto loan as a tax deduction. Let’s break it down with some quick math:

• If you pay $7,359 in interest on your loan, you could save about $1,619 in taxes.
• However, you have to pay interest to get this benefit, which isn’t ideal. I’d rather you avoid interest altogether if possible.

The real winners here might be the banks, who could use this as a marketing tactic to push higher interest rates (like 5-6%) with the promise of “long-term savings.” Be cautious and crunch the numbers before signing up for a loan just for this deduction. It’s a nice-to-have, but it’s no replacement for the $7,500 credit.

What’s Next for Tesla Deals? Financing and Incentives

With the tax credit phasing out, many of you are wondering if Tesla will step up with new incentives. Right now, there are no major financing promotions from Tesla—no 0% or 1.9% APR offers on the horizon just yet. I’m hopeful we might see something toward the end of the month or in Q4, especially for popular models like the Model Y. Tesla might also get creative in Q4 to offset the loss of the credit—think price drops or bundling FSD for free. What do you think Tesla should do? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

One thing to note: inventory levels for Tesla models are pretty steady. Model 3 inventory is creeping up, Model Y is holding steady, and Model X saw a dip (possibly due to $8,000-$10,000 discounts). Cybertruck inventory remains high, but without a compelling new incentive, I don’t see a huge rush to buy just yet.

Pro Tip: If Tesla rolls out promotional financing before September, lock in your order ASAP. You don’t want delivery delays pushing you past the tax credit deadline.

Model Y Performance Leak: Real or Photoshopped?

Let’s switch gears to a juicy rumor: a supposed leak of the Tesla Model Y Performance with a new front bumper. This grainy photo (possibly taken with a potato phone) shows what looks like a Model S Plaid-style front bumper, unique wheels (maybe Arachnid-style), and a distinct lower bumper cutout. There’s also what appears to be a Chinese front license plate, which raises some eyebrows since new designs don’t typically debut in China first.

I’m skeptical. The wheels look unnaturally blurry, and the image might be Photoshopped. However, subtle bumper changes could make a big difference in distinguishing the Performance model from the standard all-wheel drive Model Y—beyond just seats, suspension, and speed. We’ve also seen sportier rear bumpers and different wheels on other leaked Model Y Performance sightings, so there might be some truth here. What do you think? Is this leak legit, or a total fake? Let me know!

2026 Model S Review: A Subtle Refresh

I also came across a written review of the 2026 Model S Long Range by a user named Nick. Spoiler alert: it’s not a groundbreaking update. Here are the highlights:

• Ride Quality: Noticeably smoother suspension (about 30% more comfortable) and a quieter cabin (around 20% less noise compared to the 2021 Model S).
• New Features: Blind spot indicators on the steering column, a front bumper camera with washer, new driving dynamics indicators (Chill, Standard, Hurry), and cabin video views at highway speeds.
• Downsides: Interior rattles persist with issues like rear seat latches and poor tolerances in the center console and glove box. Suspension noise is minimal but still present.

Overall, it’s the same Model S we know and love with minor comfort tweaks and feature parity with the rest of the fleet. But is it worth the $10,000-$12,000 price hike over previous versions? With used Model S and X prices dropping significantly (sometimes close to half off a new one), I’m not so sure. I’d love to test drive a Plaid Model S to see if the exterior styling changes make a bigger impact.

Massive 168-Stall Supercharger Opens in California

Great news for road-trippers: Tesla just opened a 168-stall Supercharger station between Southern and Northern California, right off the I-5 highway. This beast of a station features megawatts of solar power and even includes dedicated spots for trailers—perfect for those towing with their EVs. Currently, 84 stalls are operational, and they’re all V4 chargers capable of up to 325 kW (though only the Cybertruck can handle that speed right now).

If you frequently drive between the Bay Area and LA, this is a game-changer. I’m planning a trip soon and hope to stop by. Have any of you checked it out yet? Let me know your thoughts!

Cybertruck Free Supercharging: Worth It?

I’ve previously been skeptical about the value of free supercharging as an incentive, but I’m changing my tune—specifically for the Tesla Cybertruck. With its massive battery (the largest among Tesla vehicles) and relative inefficiency, the Cybertruck benefits immensely from free supercharging. For context, a friend who owns a Foundation Series Cybertruck saved about $2,000 in gas costs over 31 days by charging 3,472 kWh for free.

Fun fact: I recently purchased another Cybertruck—a Foundation Series this time—to take advantage of free supercharging. If you’re a heavy road-tripper or daily driver, this perk could save you a ton, especially with Superchargers becoming more accessible (like timing charges with errands). Pair this with a business $7,500 credit (since Cybertruck doesn’t qualify for the standard one), and it’s a solid deal.

Protect Your Credit Before Financing

Before you apply for financing on your Tesla or any EV, protect your credit. Data breaches are rampant—Bank of America recently had one and didn’t notify customers for a month. On average, companies take 277 days to report breaches, leaving your identity exposed. That’s why I use Aura, today’s sponsor, to monitor the dark web for my personal info, reduce spam calls, and remove my data from sketchy broker sites. Aura also offers up to $5 million in identity theft insurance, all in one clean app.

Try Aura free for 14 days at aura.com/denniscw (link in my video description). Don’t wait until your data is compromised—protect yourself now, especially before applying for a loan.

Must-Have Tesla Accessories and Deals

If you’re a new Tesla owner, you might be surprised that your car comes with zero accessories—not even a phone mount! I’ve partnered with some awesome brands to hook you up with essentials:

• Joah: Grab a phone mount, center console organizer, underscreen storage, and more. Use my promo code (in the video description) for savings and free shipping on orders over $120.
• 3W Liners: My favorite all-weather floor mats for Model 3, Y, X, and Cybertruck. Use promo code Dennis35 for an exclusive 35% off (link in description).
• Mini Revs: Miniature Tesla replicas for your desk! Use promo code Dennis for 10% off and a chance to win a free Cybertruck miniature (link in description).
• Tesbros: DIY paint protection film kits for road trips. Mention the “Dennis Deal” at 24K Shine in Southern California for professional installation (link in description).
• GiveMeTheVin: Sell your current vehicle for maximum value with this nationwide service. Enter their $25,000 cash giveaway by selling through my link (in description).

Final Thoughts: Are You Buying Before the Deadline?

With just 90 days left until the $7,500 tax credit expires, I’m curious: are you planning to buy a Tesla or EV no matter what, even if there’s no promotional financing by September? Or will you hold off for better deals in Q4? It’s going to be an interesting next few months, and I’ll keep you updated on any new incentives or leaks.

Thanks for joining me in this update! If you found this helpful, hit that like button, subscribe for more Tesla deal hacking, and join my free email newsletter (link in description). Drop your thoughts in the comments—I love hearing from you all. Catch you in the next one!

— DennisCW