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EV incentives for Tesla buyers in 2026: what is left in the US, UK, Germany and the Netherlands4 min

EV incentives for Tesla buyers in 2026: what is left in the US, UK, Germany and the Netherlands

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The US credit is gone and the UK grant excludes Tesla, but Germany now pays up to €6,000 and Dutch tax breaks are shrinking. A country-by-country guide for anyone buying a Tesla in 2026.

EV incentives have changed a lot in the past year. The US federal tax credit is gone, the UK's new grant skips Tesla, Germany has brought back a purchase subsidy, and the Netherlands is steadily phasing out its tax breaks. If you are thinking about buying a Tesla in late 2026, here is what is still available in each market, and what is not.

United States: no federal credit

Federal EV tax credits ended on September 30, 2025, after Congress passed legislation that cut them short. That means:

  • New EVs: the credit of up to $7,500 is no longer available.
  • Used EVs: the credit of up to $4,000 ended on the same date.
  • Before the cut-off: buyers who purchased and took delivery before September 30, 2025 could still qualify, subject to the old income, price and assembly rules.

Some states and utilities run their own rebates or charger programs, so check what applies where you live. But for most US buyers in 2026, the price on Tesla's configurator is the real price.

United Kingdom: a grant Tesla does not qualify for

The UK's Electric Car Grant gives up to £3,750 off qualifying new EVs: £3,750 for cars in the top sustainability band and £1,500 for the second band. The scheme has been extended to 2030. Buyers do not apply themselves; the discount is applied at the point of sale if the carmaker's application has been accepted.

Two rules keep Tesla out. The car must cost £37,000 or less, and the carmaker must meet sustainability standards for production. According to MoneyWeek, no Tesla appears on either band list, and the Model 3 is excluded because it is above the price cap. The Model Y Standard started at £41,990 when it launched in the UK in December 2025, also above the limit.

Other UK tax rules for EVs, such as company car tax and road tax, still apply separately from the grant, so check them on the government's website.

Germany: up to €6,000 for private buyers

Germany restarted EV purchase support in 2026. The scheme, run by the federal office BAFA, opened its online portal in May 2026 and applies retroactively to cars first registered on or after January 1, 2026.

  • Base amount: €3,000 for a battery-electric car.
  • Children: €500 extra per child, for up to two children.
  • Lower incomes: €1,000 extra below €60,000 of taxable household income, and €2,000 extra below €45,000.
  • Maximum: €6,000 for a battery-electric car.
  • Income limit: €80,000 a year, plus €5,000 per child for up to two children, so at most €90,000.
  • Cars: new cars only, bought or leased.

The government's announcement does not mention a price cap or exclude any brand, so a new Model 3 or Model Y should fall under the general rules. Check the official conditions on the federal funding portal before you sign, because details such as minimum holding periods are set there.

Netherlands: tax breaks shrinking

The Netherlands no longer offers the SEPP purchase subsidy for private buyers; it stopped from 2025. What remains are smaller tax advantages that shrink each year:

  • Road tax (MRB): EVs pay 70% of the normal rate in 2026, up from 25% in 2025. The rate depends on weight and province.
  • Company car tax (bijtelling): for new EVs registered from January 1, 2026, the rate is 18% on the first €30,000 of list price and 22% above that. It rises to 20% in 2027 and is set to match petrol cars at 22% from 2028.
  • Registration tax (BPM): EVs no longer get a full exemption and pay the fixed base amount, which was €667 in 2025.

What it means if you are buying a Tesla

  • US: compare the full price, including delivery and order fees, and compare financing offers, since there is no federal credit to lower the price.
  • UK: do not expect a grant on any Tesla while the £37,000 cap applies.
  • Germany: if your household income is within the limits, a new Tesla can be up to €6,000 cheaper. Keep the registration date and your tax assessment handy.
  • Netherlands: for business drivers, the €30,000 threshold for the lower bijtelling makes cheaper versions such as the Model 3 Standard more attractive. Private buyers should factor in higher road tax each year.

Rules change often, especially at the start of a new year. Check the official sources for your country on the day you order.

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