Black Friday promotions on EVs from the 2019 model year are already in full swing, cash rebates, zero percent financing, and lease deals up for grabs.
November is one of the best months of the year in which to buy or lease a new car, provided you can settle for what will fast become last year’s goods. Automakers are leveraging special “Black Friday” sales incentives in the form of cash rebates, cut-rate financing, and discounted lease deals to help dealerships winnow down inventories of 2019 models, including electric cars.
We found deals on virtually all 2019 electric cars, with the exception of the Tesla models, which have yet to be offered with incentives (other than free unlimited Supercharging for Model S and Model X buyers), and the limited availability Honda Clarity Electric. Most are offered with affordable lease deals that come as cheap as just $109 a month for 36 months with $2,500 due at signing. Zero-percent financing is plentiful among electric cars this month and can be a real money-saver. One model is being promoted with an automatic 20 percent slashed off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP).
And if you can hold out until the end of the month, dealerships will be gearing up their own Black Friday promotions to lure consumers into showrooms who are already in a spending mood.
We’re featuring the 11 best deals this month on electric cars from the 2019 model year, listed alphabetically in the above slideshow.
Note that that automakers’ incentives often vary by region to address local supply and demand issues, so be sure to check a manufacturer’s website to see what’s being offered where you live. You might also want to look for extra sweeteners later in the month that automakers may enact as last-minute Black Friday measures. We searched for deals using a Southern California Zip Code for the sake of consistency and because some new electric cars are only sold in California and perhaps one or more states that share its more-restrictive emissions standards.
Also, additional cash rebates may be granted to members of the military, first responders, and students or recent graduates. But take heed that low-rate financing programs and lease deals like the ones featured here are only available to borrowers who have top-tier credit scores. If your credit history is pockmarked with late payments you’ll probably be asked to pay more.
Another way to get a great deal on an electric car is to shop for a used model, like any of the pre-owned rides listed here on MyEV.com. With the exception of the Tesla models, which hold onto their values tenaciously, most electric cars are surprisingly affordable in the resale market.
1. Audi e-tron
Finance at 0.99 percent interest for 66 months, or lease for $894 a month for 36 months with $4,994 due at signing.
The Audi e-tron crossover SUV is costly, starting at nearly $76,000, but that’s considerably less than the six-figure sticker prices a Tesla Model X commands. The Audi is well styled on the outside, is luxurious on the inside, and is reasonably quick. Unfortunately its 204-mile range on a charge is a bit short compared to other recently introduced electric cars.
2. BMW i3
Finance at 0.0 percent for 60 months, or lease for $299 a month with $4,224 due at signing.
The compact BMW i3 hatchback is a stylish and fun-to-drive electric car, and is one of the best out there for those who want true “one pedal” driving. It’s also available in a slightly quicker S trim level, and can be fitted with a small range extending gasoline engine to generate power when the battery becomes depleted. As it stands the full electric i3 can run for an acceptable 153 miles on a charge.
3. Chevrolet Bolt EV
Buy for 20 percent below MSRP, or finance for 0.0 percent for 72 months with $3,250 cash back, or lease for $299 a month for 36 months with $3,979 due at signing ($3,479 for non-GM lessees).
According to the automaker’s website 20 percent off comes to a savings of $8,747 on the Chevrolet Bolt EV Premier version. Unfortunately, the Bolt’s federal tax incentive is being phased out and stands at only $1,850. Chevy’s subcompact electric hatchback can run for 238 miles on a charge for 2019, and this bumps up to 259 miles for 2020 with no price increase, though it’s not eligible for this promotional offer.
4. Fiat 500e
Buy with up to $7,250 cash back and 0.0 percent financing for 72 months, or lease for $229 a month with $2,349 due at signing.
The tiny two-door subcompact Fiat 500e hatchback is being discontinued in the U.S. for 2020, which explains the generous incentives to help dealers clear their inventories. That’s nearly $15,000 off MSRP with the cash rebate and $7,500 federal tax credit combined, with added savings via zero-percent financing and what we would assume would be a generous price reduction at the dealership. The 500e’s range is short at just 84 miles, however, and it’s only sold in California and Oregon.
5. Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Finance at 1.9 percent for 60 months, or lease for $109 a month for 36 months with $2,500 due at signing.
The subcompact Hyundai Ioniq Electric crossover SUV can run for just 124 miles on a charge, but that would be sufficient if you have a modest commute. The $109 monthly lease payment is currently the least expensive way to get behind the wheel of an electric car. That comes to $3.63 a day, which is less than the cost of a tall cappuccino at Starbucks. The Ioniq Electric’s availability is limited to California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
6. Hyundai Kona Electric
Finance at 2.9 percent for 60 months, or lease for $349 a month for 36 months with $3,899 due at signing.
The subcompact Hyundai Kona Electric crossover SUV has a far longer operating range than the Ioniq at 258 miles, which broadens its appeal considerably. Like its showroom sibling, the Kona Electric comes with an unlimited battery warranty, which is the longest offered by any automaker. It’s sold in California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
7. Jaguar i-Pace
Finance at 0.0 percent for 60 months, or lease for $799 a month for 36 months with $5,995 due at signing.
The midsize Jaguar i-Pace crossover SUV doesn’t come cheap, but it comes wrapped in distinctive styling and is a hoot to drive. With 394 horsepower and lots of instantaneous torque on tap, it can make the sprint to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
8. Kia Niro EV
Finance at 0.0 percent for 60 months, or lease for $319 a month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing.
The subcompact Kia Niro crossover SUV shares platforms and components with the Hyundai Kona Electric, and comes close in terms of range at 239 miles on a charge. Its battery pack is covered under warranty for 10 years/100,000 miles, which is longer than with most electric cars. It’s sold in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.
9. Nissan Leaf
Buy with up to $2,000 cash back with 0.0 percent financing for 60 months with $0 down payment and no monthly payments for 90 days, or lease for $234 a month for 36 months with $2,929 due at signing.
These deals are for the base Leaf with a 150-mile range on a charge, and not for the recently introduced Leaf Plus that can run for 226 miles at a time. Though that model doesn’t carry any specific incentives, it’s still eligible for the one-time $7,500 tax credit, with dealers likely to be flexible on price for remaining 2019 model-year stock.
10. Smart EQ ForTwo
Lease for $139 a month for 36 months with $1,433 due at signing.
Smart is no longer building vehicles for the U.S. but will continue to service them. The petite two-seat EQ ForTwo has the shortest range of any current electric car at just 58 miles, but if you live in a big city, traverse only a modest radius from home, and have access to charging, this is a cheap way to go electric. Plus, of benefit to urbanites, the ForTwo can park in the tightest spaces without much effort.
11. Volkswagen eGolf
Lease for $269 a month for 39 months with $0 due at signing and $0 first month’s payment.
If a 125-mile operating range is sufficient for your needs, the compact Volkswagen eGolf hatchback is roomy and practical, with expansive passenger room and cargo space. It’s also entertaining to drive, with quick off-the-line acceleration and nimble cornering abilities. It’s affordable to lease, and VW’s current offer is based on zero down, which includes the first month’s payment.