Final answer:
Maria needs the electric car to be brand new, meet critical minerals and battery components requirements, be built by a qualified manufacturer, assembled in North America, have an MSRP of $55,000 or less ($80,000 for vans, SUVs, and trucks), and ensure that the seller provides all necessary information to her and the IRS.
Step-by-step explanation:
Maria, a single individual with wage income of $170,000 who is considering purchasing a new electric car to claim the clean vehicle credit, should ensure several criteria are met. First, the vehicle must be brand new and not previously owned. It must meet specific critical minerals and battery components requirements, which are set to ensure the vehicle's environmental friendliness and sustainable manufacturing practices. Additionally, it is necessary that the car has been constructed by a qualified manufacturer and that it has been assembled in North America, as per the incentives enacted for domestic production.
When it comes to the Maximum Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), to be eligible for the clean vehicle credit, the electric car must have a MSRP of $55,000 or less for most vehicles, and for vans, SUVs, and trucks, the MSRP should be $80,000 or less. Lastly, Maria should ensure that the seller provides the required information about the electric car to both her and the IRS to claim the credit. This includes proper documentation that details compliance with the outlined standards and requirements.