Connect with us

Published

on

Spring is finally here, and so are some solid EV lease deals. Right now, a few EVs are going for under $300 a month. Here are the cheapest EVs we could find this March.

Cheapest EVs you can lease this March

After a record year with over 1.3 million EVs sold in the US in 2024, the trend is expected to continue in 2025, with about 15 new models arriving.

Nearly 200,000 electric vehicles were sold in the first two months of the year. In February, the top five best-selling models were the Tesla Model Y, Model 3, Honda Prologue, and Rivian R1S.

Outside of Rivian’s electric SUV and now the Tesla Model Y (the old model is sold out), you can lease any of them for under $300 a month this March. With the average monthly lease payment for an electric car $175 less per month than the average loan, it’s no wonder buyers are choosing to lease.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

According to Experian, the Tesla Model 3, Honda Prologue, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Chevrolet Equinox are among the most leased EVs. Again, all of these are under $300 a month right now.

Cheapest-EVs-lease-March
Hyundai’s new 2025 IONIQ 5 Limited with a Tesla NACS port (Source: Hyundai)

Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis

Lease From Term
(months)
Due at Signing Effective rate per month
(including upfront fees)
2025 Kia Niro EV $129 24 $3,999 $295
2024 Kia EV6 $179 24 $3,999 $345
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 $159 24 $3,999 $325
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 $199 24 $3,999 $365
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 $149 24 $3,999 $315
2025 Hyundai IONIQ 6 $169 24 $3,999 $335
2025 Genesis GV60 $299 24 $5,999 $548

Kia and Hyundai continue to offer some of the most affordable, efficient electric vehicles on the market. The Niro EV is one of the cheapest EVs you can lease this month at just $129 per month.

The new 2025 IONIQ 5 (now with more range and a Tesla NACS charging port) and IONIQ 6 are arriving with big discounts. Even the luxury 2025 Genesis GV60 can be leased for under $300 a month this March.

Earlier this week, Hyundai launched a promo giving those who buy or lease a new 2024 or 2025 model year IONIQ 5 or IONIQ 6 a free ChargePoint Level 2 home charger. If you already have one, you can also opt for a $400 public charging credit.

Cheapest-EVs-lease-March
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)

Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX

Lease From Term
(months)
Due at Signing Effective rate per month
(including upfront fees)
2024 Honda Prologue $239 36 $1,399 $335
2024 Acura ZDX $299 24 $2,999 $424

Honda’s electric SUV continues to take the US market by storm. In the second half of 2024, the Prologue was the second best-selling electric SUV behind the Tesla Model Y. It has now been a top five best-seller in the US for the first two months of 2025.

With an ultra-low lease rate of just $239 per month, the Prologue is even more affordable than a Civic this month. No wonder sales are surging.

Honda launched the 2025 model earlier this month, which has more range (now up to 308 miles) and power but keeps the same low starting price.

Acura’s luxury electric SUV can be leased for as low as $299 for 24 months. With only $2,999 due at signing, the ZDX is even cheaper than the Genesis GV60, thanks to generous discounts. In some states, ZDX discounts reach as high as $28,000, also making it more affordable than a Civic to lease this month.

Cheapest-EVs-lease-March
Chevy Equinox EV LT (Source: GM)

Chevy Blazer and Equinox EVs

Lease From Term
(months)
Due at Signing Effective rate per month
(including upfront fees)
2024 Chevy Equinox EV $299 24 $3,169 $431
2024 Chevy Blazer EV $299 24 $3,879 $461

Chevy’s new electric SUVs are quickly rolling out. The electric Equinox was among the top five best-selling EVs in the final three months of 2024. Both can be leased for under $300 a month this March. The Blazer EV is still slightly more expensive, at $3,879. Keep in mind that the Blazer EV deal also includes a $1,000 trade-in bonus.

The electric Equinox SUV, or “America’s most affordable +315 miles range EV,” as Chevy calls it, is even cheaper than the gas model this month with up to $8,500 in savings.

Cheapest-EVs-lease-March
Ford Mustang Mach-E (left) and F-150 Lightning (right) (Source: Ford)

Ford F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E

Lease From Term
(months)
Due at Signing Effective rate per month
(including upfront fees)
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E $213 36 $4,462 $337
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning $233 24 $6,792 $421

Although F-150 Lightning sales are down this year, the Mustang Mach-E remained a top-selling electric SUV through the first two months of 2025

Ford is sweetening the deal with a free Level 2 home charger for any EV purchase or lease through its “Power Promise,” along with a host of other benefits.

Cheapest-EVs-lease-March
2024 Subaru Solterra (Source: Subaru)

Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra

Lease From Term
(months)
Due at Signing Effective rate per month
(including upfront fees)
2025 Toyota bZ4X $259 36 $2,999 $342
2024 Subaru Solterra $279 36 $279 $287

Japanese automakers are starting to find their rhythm. Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra sales are picking up. With an effective cost of only $287 per month, the Solterra may be the better option this month with standard AWD.

Cheapest-EVs-lease-March
Tesla Model 3 (Source: Tesla)

Tesla Model 3 is still among the cheapest EVs in March

Lease From Term
(months)
Due at Signing Effective rate per month
(including upfront fees)
Tesla Model 3 $299 36 $2,999 $382

Although Tesla sold out of old Model Y inventory this month, you can still snag a Model 3 for under $300 a month. The Tesla Model 3 is still one the best-selling EVs in the US, and for a good reason.

The new Long Range AWD Model 3 has an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 363 miles and can add up to 195 miles in just 15 minutes.

Other EVs for lease for under $300 a month

Lease From Term
(months)
Due at Signing Effective rate per month
(including upfront fees)
2025 Nissan LEAF $259 36 $2,279 $322
Fiat 500e $159 24 $1,999 $242

Some of these rates may vary by region. The $239 per month Honda Prologue lease deal is offered in California and other ZEV states. Acura’s $299 ZDX promo is only available in CA, NY, OR, and other select states.

In other parts of the country, the Prologue is still listed at just $269 per month for 36 months. With $3,199 due at signing, the effective cost is still just $358 per month. However, a $1,000 conquest or loyalty offer can lower monthly payments to around $330.

With the Trump administration looking to end federal EV incentives, including the $7,500 tax credit, many of these savings could disappear soon. Automakers can offer such low lease prices right now largely because the tax credit is factored in.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

California’s e-bike voucher program stumbles again as ‘technical issue’ forces indefinite delay

Published

on

By

California's e-bike voucher program stumbles again as 'technical issue' forces indefinite delay

California’s rollercoaster of an electric bicycle voucher program, designed to make the highly effective transportation alternative affordable for more California residents, has hit yet another bumpy section of track. This time, a “technical issue” is being blamed for the second tranche of vouchers being delayed indefinitely, causing yet another headache for the beleaguered California E-Bike Incentive Program.

The program was set to launch its second round last night, opening its application window for one hour to distribute 1,000 more vouchers worth up to $2,000 off of an electric bicycle.

But program’s operators announced just before the application window was set to close yesterday that the website had experienced technical problems.

Unlike the first round of the incentive program, last night’s application window was designed to last for an hour, giving every eligible California resident who entered the website during the window an equal chance at receiving a voucher. That system was designed as an improvement to the first round, which was widely criticized for its “first come, first served” approach that rewarded fast typing and clicking to exhaust the first 1,500 vouchers in mere seconds.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

However, the timing of the announcement last night meant that many hopeful applicants were left waiting on the website for an hour before learning that the application round was being delayed indefinitely.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, a spokesperson for the California Air Resources Board, which administers the program, said the board is investigating the issues and attempted to troubleshoot the problems “in real time.” The program “ultimately made the decision to reschedule once it became clear that not everyone was able to access the waiting room,” said CARB’s Lindsay Buckley.

It is unclear how many people entered the website during the one-hour application window, but the first round of applications launched last December saw over 100,000 people vying for the limited number of vouchers.

Despite occasional issues like these, such e-bike voucher programs are a powerful motivator for cities and states aiming to shift more trips away from cars and toward sustainable transportation. By directly reducing the upfront cost of an electric bike – often thousands of dollars – these incentives make e-bikes accessible to a broader population, especially lower-income riders who may not be able to afford one otherwise. And unlike subsidies for electric cars, which tend to benefit wealthier households, e-bike voucher programs often deliver a much higher return on investment in terms of mode shift, equity, and emissions reductions.

The benefits don’t stop at access. These programs help normalize e-bike use in urban and suburban areas, accelerating cultural adoption and proving that two wheels can be a practical alternative to four. Cities that have rolled out vouchers, like Denver and San Diego, have seen immediate surges in ridership and have reported that many recipients use their e-bikes as replacements for car trips.

As policymakers look to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and hit climate targets, e-bike vouchers offer a fast, scalable, and cost-effective tool that delivers results where it matters most: in people’s daily lives. Despite California’s own voucher program repeatedly hitting roadblocks, these types of programs have proven invaluable to making real changes in the accessibility of important commuting alternatives to cars.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Facing pressure, Trump scales back tariffs for US automakers

Published

on

By

Facing pressure, Trump scales back tariffs for US automakers

Donald Trump signed two executive orders today that walked back parts of tariffs he previously imposed on US automakers ahead of a rally in Michigan to mark his first 100 days in office.

The Wall Street Journal first reported today in an exclusive that Trump was “expected to soften the impact of his automotive tariffs, preventing duties on foreign-made cars from stacking on top of other tariffs and easing some levies on car parts.”

Trump signed an executive order making sure the 25% tariffs on vehicles and certain auto parts won’t stack on top of existing aluminum, steel, or Canada and Mexico tariffs. He also gave automakers a credit to help blunt the impact of the 25% duties on imported parts that go into US-built cars.

Trump’s backpedal comes after weeks of meeting with automaker executives, and a week after a coalition that included GM, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai sent a letter urging him to drop tariffs on foreign auto parts due to land in May.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

American Automotive Policy Council (AAPC) president Matt Blunt today said in response to the executive orders, “American Automakers Ford, GM, and Stellantis appreciate the administration’s clarification that tariffs will not be layered on top of the existing Section 232 tariffs on autos and auto parts. Applying multiple tariffs to the same product or part was a significant concern for American automakers, and we are glad to see this addressed. We will review the details of the executive order closely to assess how effectively it will mitigate the impact of tariffs on American automakers, our domestic supply chains and ultimately American consumers.” The AAPC represents Ford, GM, and Stellantis. 

Electrek’s Take

The 25% auto tariffs implemented under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act aren’t going anywhere, and most economists say that tariffs will raise car prices and slow auto sales. This White House Fact Sheet is titled, “President Donald J. Trump Incentivizes Domestic Automobile Production.” Where’s the incentive? US automakers are just getting hit with the stick once instead of twice, and they’re thanking Trump for it.

The carrot that worked as an incentive was Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, along with the stability that came with it. All this whiplash is terrible for the US and global economy.

Read more: Killing IRA EV tax credits will ruin US EV and battery industries – Princeton study


Now is a great time to begin your solar journey so your system is installed in time for those longer sunny days. If you want to make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20 to 30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.

Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate partner

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Continue Reading

Environment

Tesla Powerwall 3 is disrupting the solar inverter market

Published

on

By

Tesla Powerwall 3 is disrupting the solar inverter market

New data suggests that the Tesla Powerwall 3 is significantly disrupting the US solar inverter market.

The home battery pack’s integrated inverter is changing the game.

Tesla acquired its solar business when it bought SolarCity in a controversial deal due to Musk being a large shareholder of both Tesla and SolarCity, and Musk’s cousin led the latter.

The automaker kept the SolarCity operations going for a few years. In fact, it continued until after Tesla shareholders sued Musk over the acquisition, and Musk defended himself by claiming that SolarCity had become an integral part of Tesla.

Advertisement – scroll for more content

Shortly after he won the lawsuit, Tesla virtually stopped all operations that came from its SolarCity acquisition, which primarily consisted of residential solar financing and installations.

Tesla even stopped reporting solar deployment. The company’s energy business now consists almost entirely of Powerwall and Megapack deployments.

However, the launch of the Powerwall 3 has indirectly brought Tesla back into the solar business, as the home battery pack features an inverter that works for both solar and storage applications.

EnergySage is a company that matches solar installers with potential buyers, and as a result, it has a wealth of interesting data about the solar industry in the US. Today, it released its Spring 2025 Marketplace report.

In the report, EnergySage revealed that Tesla became the second-most quoted inverter brand in the second half of last year:

Tesla became the most quoted battery brand in H2 2024, occupying 63% of Marketplace share nationwide. Because the Powerwall 3 includes an integrated inverter, Tesla also became the second-most quoted inverter brand. With batteries increasingly being added to solar systems—the national battery attachment rate jumped to 45% in H2 2024, an all-time high—Tesla’s growth was a key driver of the low storage and solar prices seen on EnergySage. In 2025, we are examining whether brand backlash and equipment shortages will affect Tesla’s Marketplace share.

This is also a byproduct of the increased popularity of energy storage systems when deploying new solar systems.

In big solar markets like California and Texas, the majority of residential solar quotes are attached to batteries, and Tesla is not the top quoted brand, thanks to Powerwall 3:

Powerwall was already the preferred home battery pack for many homeowners, and the fact that it now includes a solar inverter has made it even more attractive, as most home energy storage systems in the US are being deployed along with rooftop solar.

The Powerwall 3’s solar inverter integration is pushing solar plus storage costs down quite a bit.

The popularity of the Powerwall 3 has particularly hurt Enphase, a leader in solar inverter. It had 73% of the US market in 2022, and now it is down to 53%.

Despite Tesla driving prices down, Powerwall 3 is not the cheapest battery pack available. Panasonic and EG4 batteries were both priced lower on a per kWh basis than Tesla’s in the second half of 2024, but Tesla won on cost when also replacing the solar inverter.

However, it’s not all good news from Tesla. EnergySage also recently reported an increase in customers requesting alternatives to Powerwalls in 2025, partly due to Elon Musk’s increasing controversy.

If you’re interested in installing solar panels and/or batteries for your home, we recommend using EnergySage. You will be able to get quotes without any hassle and only talk to someone when you are ready to move forward. Within minutes, you can get on the path to producing your own power with solar and battery storage, including with Powerwall.

Continue Reading

Trending