Kia’s 2025 EV6 and 2026 EV9 electric vehicles will be eligible for the U.S. federal electric vehicle tax credit of up to $7,500, the automaker confirmed, with the exception of the high-performance GT variants built in South Korea.
Kia’s EV6, which received a mid-cycle update, now features a larger battery offering up to 319 miles of range, along with a refreshed design and support for Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS).
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The EV9, Kia’s first three-row electric SUV, also features native NACS compatibility and will soon introduce a performance-oriented GT trim with 501 horsepower.
Eric Watson, vice president of sales for Kia America, said both models are in “full-scale production” at Kia’s facility in West Point, Georgia. However, only trims assembled in the U.S. will qualify for the full federal incentive, according to a dealer communication reported by CarsDirect.
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A Kia spokesperson explained that, “the 2025 EV6 GT and 2026 EV9 GT trims are excluded from the credit because they are produced in South Korea,” while all other versions are manufactured in Georgia and therefore meet the requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act.
If current trade tariffs — including the 25% import duty on South Korean-built vehicles proposed under former President Donald Trump — remain in place, the pricing difference between domestic and imported models could widen further.
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Customers may still be eligible to receive the incentive through leasing. Kia, like other automakers, is expected to offer the $7,500 benefit as a lease credit, effectively lowering monthly payments.
Kia plans to release additional details, including official pricing, closer to the models’ respective U.S. launch dates.
