Why EV leases are dramatically cheaper than buying
When leased, an EV qualifies as a commercial vehicle under IRS Section 45W. The leasing company claims the $7,500 credit and passes it through. When purchased, the $7,500 consumer credit (Section 30D) requires North American assembly and battery sourcing — many EVs don't qualify.
Top EV lease deals right now
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 lead the value rankings, often under $350/mo. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y lease in the $400s. Ford Mustang Mach-E offers the deepest dealer-level discounts.
State and utility incentives stack
California ($1,500-$7,500), Colorado ($5,000), New Jersey ($4,000), and many utility companies offer additional rebates that stack on top of the federal credit.