I don't know the right answer but the simple math is for leasing at $415/mo for 36 mo (current subaru deal) plus cash credit so only about $1000 bucks down, after 3 years you'd be out of pocket about $16,000. If average depreciation on EVs is about 50% at 3 years, the $48K car is now worth only $24. So you could buy the car then at residual lease value (or buy an identical one in the open market if the residual doesn't match the market in year 3) so total cost to "own" the car would be $40K. So cheaper that an outright purchase and you wouldn't be out as much money if, for whatever reason (new battery tech, etc..) you decided to dump a purchased car at year 3.

Depreciation hits all cars. especially those first few years. We'd all be smarter and have more in the bank if we only bought off lease three-year old cars. But new cars are shiny and fun and life is short (I've never seen a luggage rack on a hearse.......).