First time buyer, but don't live in CA.
Maryland has a sales tax exemption but only on cars under 50k which not many EVs in that price range that people want (or at least I'd want as most just pushes past 50k that I would consider buying).I’ve read that it’s self-attestation, essentially honor system. At your own risk of course, CARB could always investigate but I suspect it’s not really worth their time.
It will be pretty easy for them to cross reference certainly with any prior CA rebate, or possible DMV registration data.. that said, it probably just means one has to pay it back - probably not including any penalty. YMMV
It’s probably valid of course, but one does pay the tax on the amount not reduced at the POS
I have an R2 order, but it was always going to be my SO who buys the car, titles it, registers it and insures it. IT appears that Rivian will allow the final end buyer to be different than a reservation holder right at the end when it’s all being papered.. YMMVWill this really work?
I would not say this. This is cash on the hood, so I would get my ducks in a row before purchasing. But, folks need to do research and be prepared to educate Rivian when purchasing.
I hope that rule doesn't include hybrids. I got a big chunk of change for my Subaru Plug-in Hybrid back in 2020. Need to do some research!
Ruh roh. Though I wonder if that rep has all the info. Or isn’t incentivized to say something to get a sale today.
Seriously? That makes no sense. Rivian would have surely been part of the lobbying effort to get this passed. This gives them a massive advantage in California. The only reason I can think of that they wouldn't is because the program won't last long enough for them to need it. The R2 doesn't need any help selling right now. But what about the R1S/R1T? I sincerely hope the salesperson is wrong on this.
Again, the bill says manufacturer flips for half of the claimed credit. If Rivian sees strong enough demand, it doesn't need to pay their 50% to motivate a sale. Their end goal is to be profitable. Not profit less. The calculous might change if demand falls and they have no other or better incentive levers to pull.
I understand what the bill says. I would be surprised though if Rivian wasn't involved in the efforts to get that bill brought up and passed. Apparently they weren't...so I am surprised lol. And, yes, they don't need it for the R2, but they definitely could use it to sell more of the R1S/R1T which are not selling well right now. Seems like it would be worth it to me. Plus, the ill will from customers who would assume they have it (like me, this is my first EV so I would qualify). Not a good look if they don't offer it in my opinion.
I wouldn't be surprised if Rivian was neutral on the issue. Why? because time and time again they try to be neutral on anything remotely political. End of any day it's still a business run on business principles and motivated by business interests. And no business is going to spend $ unless it knows it needs to do it in order to generate business.
