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The 2025 Niro EV is leasing for an affordable $229 per month, which is about what some people spend at Starbucks over a 30-day period. Perhaps we shouldn’t write an obituary for electric vehicles just yet. According to Kelley Blue Book, 437,487 battery-powered units were sold or leased during the third quarter of 2025, which amounts to a record-high 10.5% market share. While most analysts write the surge off as a rush to showrooms before the $7,500 federal tax credit/rebate on select EVs expired at the end of September, it shows that a growing number of U.S. motorists are willing to go electric, especially if the price is right. Despite the fact that high-end luxury brands have thus far dominated the EV market, the industry is finally embracing the concept of affordably-priced battery-electric rides with gusto. Nissan recently debuted its latest version of the full-electric Leaf, starting at $31,485, while Chevrolet is planning to roll out a revived version of the Bolt next year with a base price as low as $28,595 (both including their respective mandatory destination charges), to join the already affordable Equinox and Blazer EVs in its current EV stable and additional affordable models planned for future model years. In the meantime, we found 16 full-electric cars and SUVs leasing this month with payments at under $400, which is about what a typical family – and many individuals – pay to dine out over a 30-day period. Aside from usually obtaining a lower monthly payment than buying and financing an EV outright, leasing an EV is a prudent way to hedge one’s bets with regard to rapidly developing technology – especially with regard to battery cost and capacity – and possible sinking resale values down the road. To that end 50% of all EVs are reportedly leased, rather than purchased outright. The most-affordable EV lease deal we could find this month was on the 2025 Kia Niro EV in its Wind trim, going for just $229 per month for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing. We even uncovered a pair of BMW and Volvo battery-electric models – the eDrive40 and EX30, respectively – being offered with $399 lease payments. MORE FOR YOU For those unfamiliar with the process, a new-vehicle lease’s monthly payments are based on the difference between its transaction price (this is called the “capitalized cost” in the contract) and what the vehicle is expected to be worth when the contract expires (its “residual value”), financed at the going rate of interest (referred to as either a “lease rate,” “lease charge” or “money factor”). While this would tend to favor models having lower sticker prices and/or higher residual values, automakers often apply leasing “bonus cash” to reduce the capitalized cost or down payment, or will subsidize a lower interest rate help move the metal. Plus, a lease deal can be manipulated by juggling the numbers, with a higher down payment resulting in a lower monthly expenditure, and vice versa. Be aware that new-vehicle leases include a set mileage limit, which in the case of the sweetest deals can be as little as 10,000 miles per year before a per-mile penalty of $0.15 or more kicks in. Since new-vehicle incentive programs often vary from one part of the country to another based on local supply and demand issues, be sure to check an automaker’s website under a “local offers” or “special deals” tab to see what’s being offered locally. And take note that the best leasing deals are typically reserved for “qualified lessees,” which means those having top-tier credit scores and qualifying incomes. The Most-Affordable EV Lease Deals For October 2025 BMW eDrive40 2WD: $399 per month for 36 months with $4,999 due at signing. 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV AWD 4LT: $289 per month for 24 months with $6,739 due at signing ($3,639 for eligible current lessees of 2020 or newer GM or non-GM vehicles). 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV AWD 4LT: $319 per month for 24 months with $2,289 due at signing ($1,889 for eligible current lessees of 2020 or newer GM or non-GM vehicles). 2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV 2WD LT: $279 per month for 24 months with $4,389 due at signing. 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD Extended Battery: $259 per month for 36 months with $5,329 due at signing. 2025 Honda Prologue AWD Touring: $369 per month for 36 months with $4,499 due at signing. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SEL: $299 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 SE: $305 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SEL: $279 per month for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 SE: $289 per month for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing. 2025 Kia EV6 Light Long Range 2WD: $359 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing. 2025 Kia Niro EV Wind: $229 per month for 24 months with $3,999 due at signing. 2025 MINI Countryman SE ALL4: $269 per month for 39 months with $4,699 due at signing. 2025 Subaru Solterra Premium: $299 per month for 36 months with $2,298 due at signing. 2025 Toyota bZ4X XLE: $388 per month for 36 months with $3,083 due at signing. 2026 Volvo EX30 Plus: $399 per month for 36 months with $3,310 due at signing. Prices quoted are for indicated trim levels and do not include options, taxes and fees. Contact a local dealership for details. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
