When leasing an EV, the federal tax credit (up to $7,500) goes to the leasing company (the actual owner of the vehicle), but they typically pass this savings on to you in the form of a lower capitalized cost or reduced monthly payments. This is a major advantage of leasing EVs over buying, as you effectively get the benefit of the tax credit regardless of your personal tax liability.

For typical 24-36 month leases, battery degradation is generally minimal and covered under warranty. Most modern EVs lose only about 5-10% of their battery capacity over the first several years, which shouldn't significantly impact range during your lease term. Since you're returning the vehicle at the end of the lease, long-term battery health becomes the leasing company's concern, not yours.

To calculate your monthly electricity costs, multiply your vehicle's efficiency (kWh/100 miles) by your expected monthly mileage, then multiply by your electricity rate ($/kWh). For example, if your EV uses 30 kWh/100 miles, you drive 1,000 miles monthly, and pay $0.15/kWh: (30 × 10 × $0.15) = $45/month. Don't forget to include the one-time cost of installing a home charger if needed.

Yes, as the EV market matures, residual values have been improving. Early-generation EVs suffered from rapid depreciation due to technology advancements and range limitations, but newer models with 250+ mile ranges are holding value much better. Premium EV brands like Tesla have historically maintained stronger residuals than average. Always check the specific residual percentage for your chosen model, as it varies significantly.