The Federal EV Tax Credit is Gone — But No One Told Google AI

Despite getting other details about the now-defunct program right, Google’s AI search summary continues to tell users they can receive a $7,500 federal tax credit for buying an EV.

1 minute read

December 19, 2025, 7:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Small silver electric car plugged into white charger in parking lot in outdoor lot.

refrina / Shutterstock

President Trump nixed the federal $7,500 EV tax credit, but Google’s AI search summary has yet to catch on to that fact, according to a Jalopnik piece by Andy Kalmowitz.

As Kalmowitz explains, the search bot can correctly identify the criteria for the now-defunct credit, but “seems pretty much unaware of the fact that the credit has now been dead and gone for well over a month.” 

But this isn’t just an annoying glitch. The misinformation could lead people to make irreversible decisions about buying cars using incorrect information about tax credits. “Taking the strangeness up a notch, Google clearly knows what cars didn't qualify for the credit when it was killed off, so if you look up whether or not the Mustang Mach-E qualifies, it'll correctly identify that it doesn't. However, it says it doesn't because of a battery sourcing issue (which was true back in September). The search engine makes no mention of the credits being discontinued.”

Earlier this year, Jalopnik debunked another piece of misinformation in Google’s AI results, a widespread myth that Ford’s early use of uncleaned Spanish moss in its Model T cars led to bug infestations.

Thursday, December 18, 2025 in Jalopnik

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

3 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

1 minute ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

One side of the image shows a Chicago bus stop without a bench, the second image shows the bus stop with a yellow and blue bench.

Guerilla urbanists are building DIY bus stop benches in Chicago

A before-and-after of one of the bus stops with a new bench. The new benches are not officially sanctioned or permitted, but the residents who placed them hope they will be the start of a network of DIY benches across the city.

2 hours ago - Block Club Chicago

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.