Ep. 243: EVs Aren’t Dead, They’re Being Leased Like Crazy (with Experian Automotive)

Live from NADA in Las Vegas, Melinda Zabritski, Head of Financial Insights at Experian Automotive, confesses she finally caved and bought a Hyundai Ioniq 5 and discovered range anxiety is mostly just hype. Late model used EVs remain elusive unicorns, so budget conscious shoppers are forced to hunt older models or risk higher monthly payments. Prices spiked in 2021 and apparently decided to never drop back down; affordability is officially the villain we all love to hate. Off-lease volumes are still low right now, but they're warming up the engines for a 2027 flood when millions of vehicles (roughly a third EVs) will hit the market. Melinda's dealer PSA: quit shrugging at incentives and start mastering those state-level credits before you leave money on the table. EV sales may have cooled from their "tax credit deadline fever pitch," but they still dominate new leases. Sorry, “EVs are dead” headlines, you're just clickbait. Expect EV market share to settle in the mid-single digits for now, while hybrids and plug-ins quietly steal more market share. Tax credits and low lease deals have democratized EVs, letting lower-credit buyers slide into the driver's seat instead of just admiring from the curb. Melinda and I also share a laugh over Gen Z potentially dubbing a 2014 gas car "vintage," though Melinda insists most just want affordable wheels that still feel tech-forward. Tune in for an episode of EV insights and random ice bucket questions live from NADA 2026!_______________________________Automotive Financial Insights from ExperianHow is your business competing in today’s market? Access the latest Experian analysis to find out.Our review of the automotive finance market provides a detailed look into:EV Market GrowthRising Loan Amounts and PaymentsCredit Score TrendsDelinquency and Balance TrendsPlus a look at deeper look at the used car financing market.Download the report herehttps://www.experian.com/automotive/automotive-credit-webinar_______________________________Check out Experian's EV Resource Page for all things electric vehicle data_______________________________This episode is sponsored by Experian. Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. Experian helps to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using their unique combination of data, analytics and software. Learn more herehttps://www.experian.com/automotive/ev-resource-center?cmpid=EVS_for_Everyone_______________________________Connect with Melinda on LinkedIn_______________________________Connect with Elena:https://evs4everyone.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenaciccotelli/Let's talk on X:https://twitter.com/EVs_forEveryoneAre you connected with the show on LinkedIn? https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-evs-for-everyone-podcast/________________________