Barbara. Leasing the battery but purchasing the car is apparently a possibility. It's essentially a hedge against the uncertainty of battery life:https://www.buyacar.co.uk/cars/1523/electric-car-battery-leasing-should-i-lease-or-buy-the-batteriesMotor manufacturers are looking at different options. For example, it's anticipated that in urban areas there'll be a lot more car sharing. While in the UK and and US are dominated by providers such as Zipcar I understand in Germany (and possibly elsewhere) the vehicle providers are entering the market themselves. As software in cars gets more complex with AI for self drive or driver assistance, black boxes, mandatory speed controls, etc a leasing model a leasing model probably becomes more attractive - let the supplier sort out the system problems! And mandatory controls are coming:https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/intelligent-speed-assistance-everything-you-need-knowAlso, leasing makes recycling easier - just return the car to the supplier and they sort it all out, whether its battery replacement or recycling, or second-hand sale or leasing to another customer. Given the rare metals in batteries (and other electrical devices) recycling is going to be worthwhile; it's not like an IC engine where the noxious polluting and greenhouse gases go into the atmosphere.I agree with Matt; certainly in urban areas there has to be far less use of personal cars and more use of shared transport - whether trains, buses, taxis, car clubs trams bicycles, or shoes - there's just not enough road space. At least the Flintstones car was healthy exercise!
Michael Ixer ● 1878d