By Jim Gorzelany,Senior Contributor

Copyright forbes

Some of the safest EVs on the road are being offered with can’t miss sales incentives this month as rich as $12,000.

Electric vehicle sales surged to a record 146,332 units in August as buyers flocked to dealerships to take advantage of the one-time $7,500 federal tax credit (which can also be taken at the point of sale like a rebate) before it expires on September 30.

While only a relative handful of EVs that meet certain requirements for domestic production and price limits qualify for the incentive, many automakers have managed to exploit a loophole in the tax credit legislation that passes all or part of the $7,500 to those leasing an EV that otherwise doesn’t qualify for the credit. And automakers are also pumping up sales by offering some unbeatable cash rebates and cut-rate financing deals that could likewise go away on October 1.

But as with any vehicular acquisition, making the switch from gas to battery power should not be made on a whim. In addition to considering an EV’s sticker price, energy consumption, operating range on a charge and the aforementioned incentives, shoppers should also consider a given EV’s safety ratings.

To that end, 11 current models passed all of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) rigorous evaluations and were designated Top Safety Picks (TSP), with all but one earning the tougher Top Safety Pick+ (TSP+) award.

To earn top marks in the IIHS’ rigorous ratings system, a given model must excel in in all of its crashworthiness tests, including front and side-impact crash tests, and both driver- and passenger-side offset frontal crash tests that replicate an offset collision between two vehicles traveling in opposite directions.

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Award recipients must also include highly-rated forward emergency automatic braking systems that can help avoid collisions with both other vehicles and pedestrians in both daytime and nighttime driving. What’s more, top-ranked vehicles must offer headlight systems that are deemed as being “Acceptable” or “Good” as standard equipment.

The IIHS gives models that receive Good marks in most of the above criteria its “Top Safety Pick” designation, but with a second-best Acceptable mark for the recently upgraded side-impact test. Those that also ace the latter test get the organization’s “Top Safety Pick+” honors.

On the down side, the IIHS tends to concentrates its testing efforts on the industry’s best-selling vehicles, which often leaves out big-ticket luxury models. What’s more, some new or fully redesigned vehicles may not have yet been put through their paces.

To help safety-minded EV shoppers we’ve compiled the below list of the IIHS’ top-rated battery-powered models along with the special offers on each that can save last-minute buyers a bundle through the end of September.

The Best Deals On The Safest EVs For 2005/2026

Audi Q6 e-tron SUV (TSP+): $7,500 lease bonus cash

Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV (TSP+): 0% financing for 72 months plus $1,000 cash back

Genesis Electrified GV70 SUV (TSP+): $5,000 cash back or $10,500 lease bonus cash

Hyundai Ioniq 5 SUV (TSP+) up to $7,500 cash back plus $7,500 federal tax credit/rebate

Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan (TSP+): $7,500 cash back or 0% financing for 48 months

Kia EV9 SUV (TSP+): $5,000 cash back or 0% financing for 48 months

Rivian R1S SUV (TSP+): $7,500 lease bonus cash

Rivian R1T pickup truck (TSP): $7,500 lease bonus cash

Subaru Solterra SUV (TSP+): 0% financing for 72 months or $7,500 lease bonus cash

Tesla Model Y SUV (TSP+): $7,500 federal tax credit/rebate

Toyota bZ4X SUV (TSP+): $2,500 cash back plus 0% financing for 72 months or $12,000 lease bonus cash

Note: Automakers’ incentives sometimes vary from one part of the country to another, and may include supplemental deals for members of the armed forces, first responders, college students or recent graduates, and owners or lessees of same-brand or competing models. Cut-rate financing deals are typically reserved only for those having stellar credit ratings. Consult a brand’s website or a local dealership for details.

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