If you’ve been trying to figure out what is the best electric car lease deals right now, you’ve probably noticed the market feels upside‑down. Deals changed almost overnight after the federal EV tax credit expired on September 30, 2025, yet you’re still seeing headlines about $200‑something payments and big cash incentives. Let’s unpack what’s real, what’s regional, and how to decide whether leasing an EV today actually makes sense for you.
First, a quick reality check
As of November 2025, the federal $7,500 consumer EV purchase tax credit is gone. Automakers and their captive finance arms can still capture some of that value on leases, which is why lease deals on certain models can still look surprisingly attractive, especially from brands that built their 2025 plans around EV growth.
Why EV lease deals look so strange in late 2025
For most of 2024 and early 2025, the federal tax credit quietly turned leases into the sweet spot of EV shopping. Finance arms claimed the credit on leased EVs as a commercial buyer, then baked that money into sub‑$300 payments. When the new tax and spending bill killed the consumer credit on July 4 and the last credits vanished on September 30, lease ads didn’t all disappear, but they did get more complicated.
- Some brands (Ford, GM, Hyundai, Kia, a few others) planned ahead and are still effectively passing along the old credit on leases, at least through the end of 2025, often as lease cash or bonus cash.
- Other automakers pulled back; their lease programs now look more like traditional luxury leases, high down payments and stiff monthly numbers.
- Regional and dealer incentives matter more than ever. A screaming deal in California might not exist in Ohio.
- Limited‑time offers are everywhere. Many of the best November 2025 EV lease specials expire on or around December 1.
These are examples, not guaranteed offers
Lease programs change often and usually vary by region, credit tier, and trim. The numbers below are representative national or regional offers available around November 18, 2025, not a promise that your local dealer will match them. Always verify current terms on the brand’s site and with a dealer before you sign anything.
EV lease market snapshot – November 2025
Quick look: the best electric car lease deals right now
If you just want to see where the action is before diving into the fine print, here’s a high‑level look at some of the best‑advertised electric car lease deals right now in November 2025, based on national and widely available regional programs.
Sample EV lease deals – November 2025
Representative national or multi‑state offers available around mid‑November 2025. Your local offers may differ.
| Model (MY) | Sample advertised lease | Term & DAS* | What makes it stand out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 | $269/month | 36 mo, ~$2,000 due | Low payment for a roomy, efficient sedan; strong fast‑charging. |
| 2025 Ford Mustang Mach‑E | $287/month | 36 mo, ~$2,000 due | Well‑equipped EV crossover with 0% APR options if you decide to buy instead. |
| 2025 Kia Niro EV | $209–$259/month | 24–36 mo, $3,999 due | One of the cheapest advertised EV leases; smaller crossover footprint. |
| 2025 Kia EV6 | $309–$404/month | 24–36 mo, $3,999 or ~$2,000 due | Sporty drive, long range, often stacked with big bonus cash. |
| 2026 Kia EV9 | From mid‑$400s/month | 24–36 mo, ~$4,000 due | Three‑row electric family SUV; big incentives help offset price. |
| 2026 Tesla Model 3 | From ~$329/month | 24–36 mo, ~$3,000 due | Tesla tech and Supercharger access; short 24‑month terms common. |
| 2025 Honda Prologue | High‑$400s/month | 36 mo, ~$2,000 due | New EV SUV on GM Ultium platform; sometimes paired with 0% APR to buy. |
All examples assume excellent credit and do not include taxes, title, or fees.
Think in “effective monthly cost,” not just the headline payment
A $209 payment with $4,000 down can actually cost you more per month than a $269 payment with $2,000 down. To compare offers, add your total out‑of‑pocket (down payment + acquisition fee + any dealer add‑ons) to all monthly payments and divide by the number of months in the term.
Spotlight: the cheapest electric car lease deals
If your priority is simply getting into an EV for the smallest monthly number, a few models rise to the top right now. They’re not necessarily the best cars overall, but the lease programs are aggressive.
Low‑payment EV lease standouts
Good if you want to test‑drive EV life for 2–3 years without a big commitment.
2025 Kia Niro EV
Why it’s cheap: Kia is leaning hard on lease cash to keep EVs moving after the tax credit changes.
- Ads as low as roughly $209/month for 24 months in some western states.
- Compact crossover footprint, 253 miles of range.
- Great way to try an EV if you don’t need a big family hauler.
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6
Why it’s compelling: Sleek sedan with true road‑trip range, priced like a compact.
- Sample national offer around $269/month, 36 months, ~$2,000 at signing.
- Excellent efficiency and ultra‑fast DC charging.
- Better highway range than many small crossovers.
2025 Ford Mustang Mach‑E
Why it’s notable: Payments starting in the mid‑$200s in some regions, plus strong finance offers.
- Attractive for drivers who want an EV that still feels like a traditional SUV or sport wagon.
- Some deals bundle a free home charger or extra bonus cash.
- Good middle ground between value and performance.
Don’t let a low payment hide a bad fit
A rock‑bottom lease on a car that can’t handle your winter commute, family, or charging situation is not a deal. Always check range in cold weather, cargo space, and charging access before you sign.
Best electric car lease deals by driver type
There is no single “best” EV lease for everyone. A great deal for a solo commuter might be a headache for a family that road‑trips every other weekend. Here’s how current EV lease offers line up with different use cases.
City & suburban commuters
- Good fits: Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Nissan Ariya, Volkswagen ID.4
- Look for shorter 24‑month terms so you’re not married to one car as range and charging tech march forward.
- Focus on home or workplace charging. Public fast charging adds cost and time.
For these drivers, a cheaper compact EV on a 24‑month lease is often smarter than stretching for a bigger SUV on a 36‑month term.
Families & road‑trippers
- Good fits: Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 5/9, Tesla Model Y or three‑row rivals where available.
- Prioritize range and charging speed over the last $30 a month.
- Make sure you have access to fast chargers on your usual routes, including Tesla Superchargers if your car supports NACS.
Here, a slightly higher payment can be worth it if it means fewer charging stops and less range anxiety with kids and luggage onboard.
Performance & tech‑hungry drivers
- Good fits: Kia EV6, Ford Mustang Mach‑E, Tesla Model 3/Model Y Performance, Polestar 2/3.
- Expect mid‑$300s and up for a properly quick EV, especially with dual motors.
- Shorter leases are your friend; software and hardware improve fast.
If you care more about acceleration than payments, lean toward models with strong lease cash so you’re not overpaying for early‑adopter bragging rights.
Budget‑conscious, flexible shoppers
- Good fits: Kia Niro EV, older‑stock VW ID.4s, or a used EV purchase instead of a new lease.
- Check both lease and purchase offers on the same car; the better value might surprise you.
- If you can live with a smaller, earlier‑generation EV, a used purchase can undercut any lease over three years.
This is where shopping platforms like Recharged shine, letting you compare used EV pricing, battery health, and projected costs against those shiny lease ads.
How to read the fine print on EV leases
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EV lease ads are built to get you excited about one number. Your job is to slow everything down and read the rest. A lease that looks unbeatable at a glance can fall apart once you add up the term, miles, and cash due at signing.
EV lease fine‑print checklist
1. Term length (24 vs. 36 vs. 39 months)
Shorter 24‑month leases often have lower risk because EV tech is moving fast, but the payment can be higher. Longer terms lower the monthly number but keep you in an older EV as range and charging improve.
2. Miles per year
Standard leases assume 10,000–12,000 miles per year. If you drive 15,000+, you’ll either want a higher‑mileage lease or a very honest plan to stay parked. Excess‑mileage penalties on EVs are real money.
3. Cash due at signing
Don’t just look at the monthly. Add up the down payment, acquisition fee, first payment, and any dealer add‑ons. Rolling more into the monthly payment is often safer than writing a huge check that disappears if the car is totaled early in the lease.
4. Disposition and purchase‑option fees
Ask what you’ll pay to hand the car back, and what it costs to buy it at lease‑end. On some EVs with steep depreciation, the bank’s purchase option could be higher than the real‑world used price three years from now.
5. Battery warranty and use restrictions
Most EV batteries are warrantied for at least eight years/100,000 miles, so you’re covered during a typical lease. Still, read the fine print, especially any clauses about fast charging, aftermarket modifications, or track use.
Compare a lease to a 3‑year cost‑of‑ownership estimate
Before you sign, grab a used example of the same model that’s three years older and see what it sells for. The difference between today’s price and that used price is roughly what you’re paying in depreciation. Compare that to your total lease cost, payments plus cash due, and see which is higher.
Lease vs. buy vs. used EV: what actually makes sense now?
With the federal credit gone, the math changed. Leasing is no longer the automatic slam‑dunk it was in early 2025, and used EVs have quietly become some of the best values on the lot. The right answer depends on how long you want to keep the car and how comfortable you are with future technology changes.
Leasing a new EV
- Best for: Early adopters, tech‑hungry drivers, and anyone unsure about long‑term EV life.
- Pros: Newest tech and safety, full factory warranty, walk away in 2–3 years.
- Cons: Mileage caps, you don’t own the car, and you can end up paying more than a used purchase if depreciation is steep.
Buying a new EV
- Best for: Drivers who want to keep a car 7–10 years and aren’t bothered by rapid model turnover.
- Pros: Unlimited miles, you control when you sell, strong warranties.
- Cons: Higher upfront cost, and with today’s price swings, resale value is a big question mark.
Buying a used EV
- Best for: Value hunters and practical commuters who don’t need the latest thing.
- Pros: Someone else already ate the worst depreciation; prices on many 2–4‑year‑old EVs have come down sharply; you can sometimes stack used‑EV incentives where still available.
- Cons: Range may be lower than newer models, and battery health matters a lot.
Used EV sales are up sharply year‑over‑year, even as new EV incentives shrink. For many shoppers, a lightly used electric car has become the smart-money alternative to a shiny new lease.
When a used EV is a better deal than any new lease
Here’s the part most lease ads hope you don’t think about: a well‑priced used EV can beat a new‑car lease on total cost, especially if you’d rather keep the car more than three years. With EV resale values under pressure and battery warranties stretching eight years or more, the used market is where a lot of the real value lives right now.
Why used EVs are suddenly so attractive
Especially if you care more about value than first‑owner bragging rights.
Depreciation is your friend now
Some EVs have dropped 30–40% in value in just a couple of years. That hurts if you bought new, but it’s a gift if you’re shopping used today.
Instead of paying to subsidize that drop through a lease, you can capture the discount up front as a buyer.
Battery health is easier to verify
Tools like the Recharged Score report give you a window into actual battery health, not just mileage and guesswork. You can see how the pack has been treated and how much usable capacity it still has.
That kind of transparency makes a 3‑year‑old EV feel much less like a leap of faith.
At Recharged, every used EV comes with a Recharged Score Report that includes verified battery diagnostics and fair‑market pricing, along with EV‑specialist guidance if you’re cross‑shopping leases. It’s a simple way to sanity‑check that tempting lease ad against what you could spend, and save, by owning a used EV instead.
Step‑by‑step: how to hunt down a great EV lease
Let’s say you’ve done the math and still want to lease. Here’s a straightforward way to go from “scrolling deals on your phone” to signing something you won’t regret in 2028.
Your EV lease‑shopping game plan
1. Start with the models, not the ads
Make a short list of EVs that actually fit your life, size, range, charging, and budget. A 200‑mile city car might be perfect for a commuter, useless for a road‑trip family.
2. Check multiple deal sources
Look at the automaker’s site, independent deal aggregators, and local dealer pages. You’ll often see slightly different versions of the same program, and sometimes a local blowout that isn’t advertised nationally.
3. Calculate effective monthly cost
Use a spreadsheet or a notes app: (monthly payment × term) + total due at signing, divided by the number of months. Compare offers on that number, not just the ad headline.
4. Get quotes from at least two dealers
Email or text the internet sales department. Ask for an itemized lease worksheet so you can see the money factor, residual value, fees, and any dealer add‑ons.
5. Negotiate the selling price, not the payment
On most leases you can still negotiate the underlying sale price of the car. A lower cap cost helps whether you lease or decide to buy instead.
6. Sleep on it, and compare against used
Before you sign, take one night to run the numbers against a comparable used EV purchase. If the lease still looks good in the morning, you’re probably on the right track.
FAQ: best electric car lease deals right now
Common questions about today’s EV lease deals
Bottom line: should you chase a lease deal today?
In late 2025, the answer to “what is the best electric car lease deals right now?” is more about fit than about a single magic model. Hyundai, Kia, Ford, and Tesla are still throwing out attention‑grabbing lease numbers on certain EVs, especially in EV‑friendly states. But the real win is matching the right car, term, and total cost to the way you actually drive.
If you want to test‑drive EV life for a couple of years, a carefully chosen 24‑ or 36‑month lease on something like an Ioniq 6, Niro EV, or Mustang Mach‑E can be a smart move, provided you read the fine print and run the math. If you’re playing the long game and care most about value, it’s time to put used EVs on your shopping list. With verified battery health and transparent pricing through tools like the Recharged Score Report, you can weigh a low‑payment lease against owning a well‑sorted used EV and pick the path that makes sense for your budget, your driveway, and your next decade of driving.
