The Distributional Effects of US Tax Credits for Heat Pumps, Solar Panels, and Electric Vehicles

Severin Borenstein and Lucas W. Davis

National Tax Journal, 2025, vol. 78, issue 1, 263 - 288

Abstract: US households have received more than $47 billion in tax credits since 2006 for heat pumps, solar panels, electric vehicles, and other “clean energy” technologies. Using information from tax returns, we show that these tax credits have gone predominantly to higher-income filers. The bottom three income quintiles have received about 10 percent of all credits, while the top quintile has received about 60 percent. The most extreme is the tax credit for electric vehicles, for which the top quintile has received more than 80 percent. These patterns have changed little over time. We then present evidence on cost-effectiveness and discuss broader economic considerations.

Date: 2025
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