EV Lease vs EV Purchase TCO
**Leasing an EV** passes federal credit quirks to lessors and caps battery obsolescence risk—you do not own residual value. **Buying** captures tax credits (when eligible), unlimited miles, and long-term savings if you keep the car 8+ years.
Step by step
1. Compare effective payment
Lease money factor vs loan APR after incentives.
2. Model charging cost
Home L2 vs public DC fast-charge mix.
3. Resale / return
EV depreciation is steep—lease shifts risk to lessor.
EV lease vs purchase
Rapid tech change favors leasing for early adopters; stable models favor buy.
- EV lease: Lower monthly; mileage cap; no resale hassle.
- EV purchase: Tax credit upside; depreciation risk; unlimited miles.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring disposition fee on lease
- Buying without home charging quote
FAQ
Does lease qualify for EV credit?
Often passed through as capitalized cost reduction—read contract.