Uber, Honda, Kia, and COSTCO are getting into the EV incentive act, offering up to thousands of dollars to help offset the loss of the $7,500 federal tax credit last September. The sudden U-turn in tax policy had a devastating effect on electric vehicle sales in Q4 of last year and it has rippled into Q1, but the opportunity for a turnaround has emerged as Trump ramps up his war on Iran to fever pitch. The Epstein War And A Surge In EV Research As for why Trump chose to start a full-on war against Iran out of the blue, the answer is obvious. Trump’s yearlong, frantic efforts to bury his relationship with the notorious sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein were largely unsuccessful until February 28, when he sent the bombs flying against Iran without seeking approval from Congress. A green light from Congress should have been an easy ask, considering that Trump’s Republican allies hold the majority in both the House and the Senate. They have collectively failed to hold US President Trump accountable for the alleged sex crimes documented in the Epstein files, so it stands to reason they would support any and every effort to keep distracting public attention from the Epstein scandal, up to and including a full-scale war. Meanwhile, the war has sparked a jackrabbit spike in fuel prices here in the US and around the globe, leading to a surge in online searches attributed to EV-curious car shoppers. Whether or not the sudden spike in interest leads to a significant upswing in US sales remains to be seen, but Uber, for one, is pitching in. On April 1, Uber announced an expansion of its existing $4,000 electric vehicle incentive. The program, initially piloted in New York City, California, Massachusetts, and Colorado, is now available to eligible drivers across the country. “Uber said it is also planning to give drivers up to an additional $1,500 if they buy a new Kia electric, plus $1,000 off any EV that is purchased through TrueCar,” USA Today reported on April 6. As described in Kelley Blue Book, the new Niro EV and EV6 qualify for a $1,000 discount, with the top $1,500 discount applying to the new EV9. But Wait, There’s A Catch Uber being Uber, the seemingly generous $4,000 offer comes with a laundry list of limitations. The offer is limited to certain drivers, and only the first 2,500 successful applicants will receive the $4,000 incentive. “Platinum and Diamond drivers who switch to an EV and complete 100 eligible rides by December 31st, 2026, can qualify for Uber’s $4,000 Go Electric incentive,” Uber advises. “Drivers must meet all aforementioned eligibility requirements to qualify for the incentive and the incentive is first-come first-served for 2,500 drivers,” Uber emphasizes. “Only personally owned or leased EVs added to the driver profile for the first time after eligibility confirmation will qualify. Rental EVs do not qualify.” Additionally, Pro Platinum and Diamond drivers can’t use the incentive to add another EV to their account. The incentive applies to first-time EVs only. Honda and COSTCO Step Up To Fill The EV Tax Incentive Gap Yesterday, CleanTechnica editor Zachary Shahan also noted that Honda has leveled up its game. The company is offering an impressive $7,500 discount on its Prologue electric car, exactly the same amount as the now-deceased federal tax credit. After a quick search on the Honda website, however, Shahan noted an opportunity for an even larger sales credit for the Prologue, at $8,000. See what’s available in your zip code. In addition, COSTCO is doing its part. The beloved wholesale buying club has emerged as a major force in overall US auto sales, and it has established a bustling electric vehicle business. The company does not sell EVs itself, but it does offer incentives and a hassle-free experience to car shoppers who buy through the COSTCO Auto Program. The program is tiered between Executive members and non-Executive members, and it is time sensitive. Until April 30, for example, Executives can qualify for a $2,000 incentive on a new Volvo EX90 electric SUV, and other members can get a $1,500 incentive. Here Comes The Equinox Electric SUV Cars Direct has more information on EV incentives, including the Chevy Equinox. Weeks before Trump launched his flailing catastrophe of a war in Iran, GM notified dealers that the 2026 electric Equinox is eligible for up to $10,000 in stackable rebates, including a “conquest” incentive of up $1,250 for buyers coming off a non-GM vehicle. “Based on our analysis, every Equinox now has a roughly 20% discount, with prices starting at less than $29,000,” Cars Direct reported on February 3. “The cheapest Equinox EV starts at $36,390, including destination. With this month’s rebate, there’s now an 18% discount off MSRP, bringing the price down to just $29,890. You can lower that even further to $28,640 using the conquest bonus, making this a 21% discount off MSRP,” explained Cars Direct. “Compared to the 2026 gas Equinox, this could essentially make the EV a free upgrade,” Cars Direct emphasized. Tesla Continues To Dominate EV Sales In The US Some dealers are also helping EV-curious shoppers sort through additional incentives available through their home state, local utility, or both. In Bridgewater, New Jersey, for example, a Kia dealer lists substantial incentives for electric vehicles and EV charging: — Charge Up NJ Rebate: $1,500 instant point-of-sale discount on eligible EVs (MSRP ≤ $55,000). — Charge Up+ Bonus: Up to $4,000 total rebate for income-qualified residents. — Home Charging: $250 state rebate for Level 2 chargers, plus up to $1,500+ in utility credits from PSE&G or JCP&L. — Toll Discounts: 10% off-peak discount on the NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway via the Green Pass program. As for the Epstein scandal, despite the headline-grabbing Iran war and the coverup engineered by Trump’s friends in high places, the steady drip-drip of Epstein-related news continues apace, rippling out to ding Tesla CEO Elon Musk along with others in Trump’s orbit. In the latest development, on April 6, the news organization Ohio Capital Journal reported that the Ohio-based retail mogul and Epstein consort Les Wexner and the Wexner Foundation have been sued by a group of 11 women, alleging that Wexner had a key role in supporting Epstein’s international sex trafficking business. Also on April 6, The Detroit News took note of more revelations come. “The latest batch of Jeffrey Epstein files mention prominent names like Elon Musk, Steve Bannon and Peter Thiel,” reads the headline of a TDN video report. For the time being, Tesla continues to dominate EV sales in the US. However, the numbers have been sliding for months, a trend attributed partly (though not fully) to Musk’s political affiliations and his role as head of Trump’s DOGE budget-slashing office. EV stakeholders in the US are facing a long, slow market reset, and it remains to be seen if Tesla retains its position as an industry leader as the recovery gets underway — which it will, Trump or no Trump. Photo: Uber has expanded its $4,000 “Go Electric” EV incentive plan across the US under a supplies-limited offer, helping to offset the loss of the federal tax credit (cropped, courtesy of Uber).