DISABILITY POLICY FOUNDRY: The Inaccessible Cost of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs): A Federal Tax Credit Solution
In this blog, the author argues for a targeted federal tax credit to alleviate the prohibitive upfront costs of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs), which often exceed $70,000. Because individuals with physical disabilities face strict state Medicaid and SSI asset limits that prevent them from accumulating the necessary savings, existing state programs and manufacturer rebates offer insufficient relief. To bridge this financial gap, the policy proposal outlines a five-year pilot program providing a refundable $7,500 tax credit for new qualified WAVs, extending eligibility to family caregivers and capping vehicle prices at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $75,000 to prevent manufacturer price inflation. Crucially, the policy allows the credit to be transferred directly to mobility dealers at the point of sale, ensuring low-income families receive an immediate discount rather than paying thousands out-of-pocket for vital transportation infrastructure.
