Here’s a rough side-by-side comparison of owning vs lease . These are indicative and will depend heavily on your driving pattern, electricity prices, insurance, etc.
💡 Estimate of ownership costs vs leasing — example scenario
Below is a hypothetical example comparing “buy + own for 5 years” vs “lease for 5 years” for a mid-sized EV in Sweden. Use it as a ballpark.
| Cost item | Ownership (BUY) | Leasing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car purchase price | SEK 600,000 | — (car stays with lessor) | Example list price |
| Residual value after 5 years | ~ SEK 200,000 | — | Estimate depends heavily on resale market |
| Depreciation cost (net) | SEK 600,000 − 200,000 = SEK 400,000 | Included in lease payments | You “pay” depreciation in the lease |
| Finance / interest | ~ SEK 25,000–40,000 | — | If financed with a loan |
| Electricity / charging | ~ SEK 8,000–15,000/yr | Same | Depends on kWh price and usage |
| Insurance & tax | ~ SEK 10,000–15,000/yr | Often included or added in lease | Varies by car and contract |
| Maintenance / wear & tear | Lower for EVs; expect some costs for tires etc. | Often included in lease / covered under contract | Preventive service, wear components |
| Misc. (tyres, repairs, extra mileage fees) | You bear all | Lease may penalize extra km | Lease contracts typically have limits |
Approximate effective monthly “cost” over 5 years:
- Ownership:
- (Depreciation 400,000 / 60) ≈ SEK 6,667
- electricity, insurance, tax, maintenance ≈ SEK 4,500
→ ~ SEK 11,000–12,000 / month
- electricity, insurance, tax, maintenance ≈ SEK 4,500
- (Depreciation 400,000 / 60) ≈ SEK 6,667
- Leasing:
- Contracted lease cost (e.g. SEK 9,640 for Model Y)
- possible extra costs (insurance, extra kilometers)
→ ~ SEK 9,600 – 11,000 / month (depending on contract)
- possible extra costs (insurance, extra kilometers)
- Contracted lease cost (e.g. SEK 9,640 for Model Y)
In this rough scenario, leasing might be slightly cheaper or competitive, especially given the risk of resale value drops or battery degradation over time.
✅ What tends to tip the balance
Here are key factors that determine whether leasing or buying is better:
| Factor | Favors Leasing | Favors Buying |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid EV tech changes | ✔ Lease lets you upgrade more easily | Older purchase may feel outdated |
| Resale risk / depreciation | ✔ You avoid the resale market risk | You take on the full resale risk |
| Battery degradation risk | ✔ Lease contracts may absorb it | You bear it if you keep long term |
| Mileage & usage flexibility | ✘ Lease often has mileage limits | ✔ You can drive as much as you want |
| Long ownership plans | ✘ Lease becomes expensive past term | ✔ If you keep it 7–10 years, buying wins |
| Tax / company car benefits | ✔ In many cases leasing / company cars get favorable tax treatment | Buying may lose some tax advantages especially for company use |