WASHINGTON—The Treasury Department has delayed guidance on rules for claiming tax credits for electric vehicles (EVs).

Under the recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Americans can receive a tax credit of up to $7,500 for purchasing a new EV, with the caveat that the vehicle must be assembled in North America, and must be purchased and delivered on or before Dec. 31, 2022. Then, beginning next year, “income-qualified households” will be able to receive a tax credit of up to $7,500 for new vehicles, as long as the EV is assembled in North America and has a battery that meets certain sourcing requirements.

However, the Treasury Department has not yet issued guidance on those sourcing requirements. As a result, EVs that are not expected to comply with the new standards will continue to be eligible for the credits until the proposed guidance is issued.

Under the IRA, for the $3,750 credit, 40 percent of the battery must be extracted or processed in the U.S. or in a country where the U.S. has a free-trade agreement. That percentage would increase to 80 percent in 2027.

The other $3,750 credit would apply if 50 percent of the battery’s components are manufactured or assembled in North America. This requirement would increase to 100 percent in 2029.