Driving an electric vehicle has some obvious benefits: they accelerate quickly, their fuel and maintenance costs are lower, and they’re better for the environment than gas-powered vehicles. But there are some less obvious benefits, too. In order to increase the sales of EVs in the United States, the government offers several incentives in hopes they will convince people to make the switch from gasoline.
Here are a few of the less well-known benefits that come with driving a modern electric vehicle.
Drive in the Carpool Lane
If you spot someone driving an electric vehicle in the carpool lane without any other people in the car, save your dirty looks. Chances are, they’re actually not doing anything wrong. A growing number of states are offering carpool lane passes to electric vehicles regardless of how many people are in the vehicle. If you drive a solo commute regularly, getting access to a carpool or HOV lane could greatly improve your daily life.
Tax credits
If you’ve been in the market for an electric vehicle, you’re likely already aware that they’re not exactly cheap. The good news is that the Department of Energy offers a handful of tax credits that can make purchasing an EV much more achievable. Currently, all new electric vehicles purchased in 2023 or after are eligible for a federal income tax credit of up to $7,500.
Local rebates
Buying an electric vehicle is far from the last time you’ll have to spend money on it. But thanks to local rebate programs, things like the EV charger in your garage can often be much less expensive. Before you buy an electric vehicle, do some research on potential rebate programs and other incentives that might be offered by your local government.
Sources
- California Air Resources Board, “Carpool Stickers” (2025)
- U.S. Department of Energy, “Federal Tax Credits for New Plug-in Electric and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles” (2o25)
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