Incorporating a white interior into a Tesla Cybertruck is an $11,000 error.

      Shopping for an electric vehicle that qualifies for the full $7,500 federal tax credit can sometimes require a shift in how you approach numbers. Consider the Tesla Cybertruck: its optional white interior is priced at $2,000, yet choosing it can result in customers paying more than $11,000 extra.

      Electric vehicles and their buyers must meet various criteria to be eligible for the complete tax credit. These criteria include technical specifications, pricing limits, and income restrictions. For instance, only vehicles with a battery capacity of at least seven kilowatt-hours are eligible, and married couples filing jointly cannot claim the full credit if their income exceeds $300,000 annually. The vehicle's price is also factored in. SUVs, vans, and pickup trucks are ineligible if they price above $80,000, while sedans and coupes have a limit of $55,000.

      This likely explains why the starting price for the all-wheel-drive version of the Cybertruck is $79,990, not including destination charges. It is just a dollar short of disqualification for the federal tax credit. The Cyberbeast trim begins at $99,990, making it too costly for government incentives. However, the base model is so close to the limit that adding even one optional feature can significantly increase costs for buyers.

      CarsDirect highlighted the optional white interior as an example. Notably, this option does not change the upholstery color; it simply adds white trim to the door panels and dashboard. If a buyer selects an all-wheel-drive Cybertruck with no options—and qualifies for the full tax credit—they can acquire the electric pickup for $72,490, minus destination and other charges. Opting for the white interior raises the cost to $81,990, resulting in the Cybertruck losing eligibility for the $7,500 incentive.

      In other terms, choosing a $2,000 option effectively costs you $9,500. The same situation applies to the Cyber wheels, which include all-terrain tires and are priced at $3,500, as well as the much-anticipated range extender, estimated to cost around $16,000 when it begins production in 2025.

      According to CarsDirect, financing your Cybertruck through Tesla could lead to additional expenses. The company offers financing at 5.99% for 72 months. When everything is calculated, a Cybertruck with the white interior can total approximately $97,807 after interest. In contrast, financing the same Cybertruck with the standard Tactical Gray interior and utilizing the tax credit lands you at a total of $86,474, which is nearly an $11,400 difference.

      This issue is not exclusive to the Cybertruck. Tesla lists the top-tier Model 3 Performance at $54,990. While the black and white interior has no additional cost, choosing Stealth Gray paint is necessary to remain eligible for the federal tax credit, as other paint options incur extra fees; Deep Blue Metallic, Solid Black, and Pearl White Multi-Coat are each priced at $1,000, and Ultra Red and Quicksilver are $2,000.

      However, there is a workaround. If you opt to lease instead of purchase, you can obtain a $7,500 credit irrespective of factors like MSRP and your income.

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