Electrification News and Media
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
The passage of the so called “Big Beautiful Bill” severely curtails the Inflation Reduction Act incentives for solar, EVs, electrification and efficiency.
Act now before they are gone.
Also expiring on Dec. 31, 2025 is the New Mexico (state) Supplemental Solar Tax Credit. If you applied for a NM solar tax credit between 2020-2023 and received a rejection letter due the state’s lack of funds, you could be eligible for up to 10% of your solar system’s costs, up to $6,000, through this supplemental credit if you apply by the end of 2025. The regular solar tax credit continues through 2031.
Other Local and utility incentives are still available, and some are growing:
State HEAR Rebates for income limited households now include heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and wiring and electric panel upgrades as well as insulation, induction cooking, and heat pump clothes dryer. Applications for heat pumps is open but program contractor list won’t be out until Sept./Oct. Only Daikin and Goodman brands of heat pumps will be allow at first, and possibly Samsung.
Signups for Community Solar have started!
A geothermal ground source heat pump tax credit of 10% up to $9,000 passed in 2024 is coming soon. This is in addition to the Sustainable Building Tax Credit of $1,000 or $2,000.
Community Energy Efficiency Development Grants will soon be available through community partners in these locations: Albuquerque & Town of Bernalillo (for seniors), Aztec, Las Cruces, Santa Fe (low-income), County of Santa Fe, County of Taos, and Housing New Mexico (rural areas).
See below for some Federal project cutoff dates.
FEDERAL TAX CREDIT DEADLINES
IRS Guidance on Federal Tax Credits.
SOLAR
The bill reverses two decades of bipartisan support for home solar installations
–Residential 30% solar tax credit (25D) – you have until December 31, 2025 to pay for or install solar panels.
-Commercial solar projects and third-party-owned residential systems (48E), such as leases and power purchase agreements, are available if systems are placed in service before 2028. To qualify, systems must include 40% domestic content in 2026 and 60% by 2030—which could influence project costs and availability, according to Energy Sage.
-EV purchases, leases. The bill ends the federal $7,500 tax credit for new vehicles and $4,000 for used ones after September 30, 2025. Clean commercial vehicle purchases are included. ENERGY EFFICIENCY – HEAT PUMPS, INSULATION, WIRING, AUDITS AND MORE
-Homeowners. Only energy-efficient home projects finished by December 31, 2025 will qualify for Federal tax credits.
–Developers. To access energy-efficient home and commercial building incentives, developers would have to start construction by June 30, 2026, according to Canary Media.
Canary Media Cheat Sheet for new Federal Clean Energy Deadlines for consumers, businesses and developers.
See what Federal programs are threatened in this 
Appropriations Tracker from the Democrat staff of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees details the minimum amount of federal funding the Committees believe the administration is currently freezing, cancelling, or fighting in court to block. This list is not comprehensive or exhaustive, but it catalogs a wide range of investments that the Trump administration is choking off, in many cases illegally.
This Volts podcast digs deep into the US HR1, House Budget Bill and its consequences for electrification, clean energy and the Inflation Reduction Act. With former Senate aide Adrian Deveny, who was in the trenches for the IRA’s creation. Bottom line: the House version passed May 22, 2025 effectively repeals the Inflation Reduction Act.
EV buyers who missed out on their tax credits now have a fix from the IRS
Electric vehicle buyers who missed out on the Federal tax credit because the dealer failed to report the 2024 purchase to the Internal Revenue Service within 3 days now have a second chance. As reported by NPR , the National Automobile Dealers Association sent an alert to its members saying the IRS is now allowing dealers to report sales “for qualifying clean vehicle credit transactions that occurred in 2024.” Essentially, the 3-day requirement is being waived.
Taxpayers who missed out will need to work with the car dealer who originally sold them the car. Only a dealer can sign up for the system, called the ECO portal, and submit sales to the IRS.
Visit our EV page for more tips on benefiting for all possible incentives.
Flabbergasted by the Funding Freeze? Here’s What Could Happen Next.
“More than a dozen groups have filed lawsuits challenging the Trump administration’s suppression of congressionally appropriated funds that don’t align with his political agenda, and several district courts have responded by placing restraining orders on the pause. And yet Trump and his cabinet have mostly ignored these orders, keeping many awardees in limbo.”
Read the Feb. 24, 2025 full article from Heatmap.
Trump freezes Inflation Reduction Act and infrastructure-law funding
“The pause throws tens of billions of dollars of lawfully designated clean energy funding into uncertainty. It’s likely to face challenges in court.” Main idea of the article: most IRA tax credits may be okay, but loans, grants and existing contracts are targeted for review.
Full Article from Canary Media
By Jeff St. John
Jan 21, 2025
EV Updates
Republicans Can Slow but Not Stop Electric Vehicles, Experts Say from NYTimes
Stricter rules strip some EVs, PHEVs of $7,500 federal tax-credit eligibility in 2025 from AutoNews
1 in 4 vehicles sold in 2025 will be ‘electrified’ from Cox Automotive
Bill to end electric vehicle mandate among first to be filed ahead of 60-day session
By Daniel J. Chacón
Jan 6, 2025
Santa Fe New Mexican
Full article
A bill that would put the brakes on a rule requiring New Mexico car dealers to make electric vehicles a bigger part of their inventory is among the first pieces of proposed legislation filed ahead of the upcoming 60-day session.
The rule [under threat] calls for 43% of new cars and light-duty trucks delivered to New Mexico to be electric models by 2026 and 82% by 2032. At the same time, 15% to 20% of new, heavier-duty commercial trucks delivered to the state must be electric by 2026, and 40% to 70% must be zero-emission models by 2034, depending on their class.
What climate law tax credits will be in — and out — under Trump 2.0
By Jeff St. John
Dec 2, 2024
Canary Media
Link to full article.
The engine of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Biden administration’s landmark climate and industrial policy achievement, is tax credits.
Through federal tax incentives alone, the law could direct as much as $780 billion into the U.S. clean energy economy over the rest of this decade. That money will help the U.S. cut its carbon emissions, grow employment, and compete in the global race for clean-technology dominance.
But the Trump administration and congressional Republicans could throw a wrench into that engine next year.
Buy an EV ASAP! Tax credits face uncertain future
News sources warn that tax credits face an uncertain future under the incoming Trump administration. Currently drivers can access a $7500 credit to buy or lease an EV. Sales have already gone up on EVs.
Change wouldn’t happen overnight. As this NPR article points out: “Congress would have to act to fully remove them, and the auto industry is already lobbying to try to defend them… For now, there’s a finite supply of vehicles that qualify for the credit, thousands of dollars on the line for shoppers, and an uncertain timeline after Jan. 20.”
Advocates express mix of fear and hope for New Mexico’s energy transition under Trump
By Nicholas Gilmore
Nov 24, 2024
Santa Fe New Mexican
Link to Full Article
Link to 350NM’s breakdown of the article on Instagram
As President-elect Donald Trump continues to roll out a flurry of nominees for Cabinet-level positions, one name on the Republican’s roster has environmental advocates fearing the possible effects on New Mexico’s ambitious renewable energy transition.
Stay up-to-date on incentives via New Mexico Energy Conservation and Management (ECAM)
ECAM. Looking to save money while making your home or business more energy efficient? Discover a range of tax incentives and rebates available for energy-efficient programs and products.
Check out energy-efficiency training programs at Santa Fe Community College!
The Energy Smart Academy at Santa Fe Community College is an IREC-accredited, nationally recognized training center that focuses on residential and commercial energy and water efficiency. They offer both online and in-person classes. Trainings include installing cold climate heat pumps, energy auditing, and much more.