It's not a loophole. It was the way the law was written. It was probably intentional to avoid mass confusion and problems at the dealers.

As a reminder, quite a few Republican* congressmen own car dealerships.

* Not being political here - the new law was written by Republicans and I'd bet the dealership owners had input.

 

Good point. Removed "loophole" from thread title; it is still on Car and Driver's article, though, for obvious reasons.

 

Sells more clicks as a loophole. Fits with their “gummint is dum” agenda going back to when I was a kid (and based largely on not wanting speed limits or emissions rules).

 

The way I understand it, as long as customers, or even the automakers, give their lease companies a down payment on future EVs, then they can claim those tax credits on vehicles delivered by December 31st.

Just saw something where GM & Ford asked dealerships to do that.
About 8 paragraphs in: www.theautopian.com/how-ford-and-gm-are-buying-their-own-cars-to-save-you-money/
If you have Automotive News: www.autonews.com/general-motors/an-gm-ev-leasing-incentive-q4-2025-0929/