Audi offers EV lessees up to $10,000 off to buy the car they're already drivingThe Cool DownMorgan TaylorTue, September 15, 2026 at 1:36 PM UTCAdd us on GooglePhoto Credit: iStockAudi is giving electric vehicle lessees thousands of dollars off if they decide to buy their leased vehicles at the end of the terms, according to a dealer bulletin the automaker sent Sept. 1.Here's what to knowAccording to CarsDirect, the buyout option incentive is set to run through Sept. 30 and applies only to Audi EV lessees making a standard end-of-lease purchase.Rather than cutting the price of a replacement EV, Audi is lowering the contract buyout amount for drivers who choose to keep the vehicle they already lease.AdvertisementAdvertisementOf the models listed, the Q8 E-Tron gets a $4,000 reduction, the Q4 E-Tron gets $5,000, and the E-Tron GT gets the largest cut, $10,000.Dealers have a financial reason to promote the offer. Audi will pay a $500 facilitation incentive for each buyout under the program in addition to its usual compensation for processing the sale.CarsDirect called the offer "an appealing incentive for shoppers who love their all-electric Audis and want to hold on to them after their lease ends."More backgroundAudi's offer arrives as automakers continue dealing with fast-changing used-EV pricing.In some cases, EVs have depreciated beyond the residual values built into their lease agreements, creating trouble for dealers when those vehicles come back.AdvertisementAdvertisementA returned EV that is worth less than its preset residual figure can put pressure on both the manufacturer and dealer. Pushing lessees toward buying the cars they already have can reduce the number of vehicles coming back at uncomfortable valuations.Audi had already increased one of these incentives, as the Q4 E-Tron buyout discount began at $3,000 in July and was raised to $5,000 by September, CarsDirect reported.For some drivers, shaving several thousand dollars off the buyout price could make holding on to a familiar EV more attractive than replacing it with another vehicle.What can be done?Anyone considering the offer should compare the reduced buyout amount with the vehicle's market value. It is also worth checking that number against prices for new EVs.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe important comparison is how the discounted total stacks up against both the original purchase option and what the car is worth.CarsDirect said the incentive applies to the scheduled lease-end purchase, not to an early lease termination.Where can I learn more?Audi's lease-end discounts are part of a wider EV price battle that is changing what people pay to buy — or keep — an electric car. Other automakers, retailers, and state programs are trimming costs too, with cash offers, financing deals, and credits applied at the point of sale.• Hyundai offered up to $10,000 off EVs in the U.S., plus 0% APR financing.• Volkswagen dangled a stunning $13,000 discount on the ID.4 before new models arrived.AdvertisementAdvertisement• Uber drivers could tap up to $22,000 off new EVs through grants and discounts.• Major U.S. auto retailers wanted to put the EV tax credit into the deal at sale.• In Colorado, stacked incentives could make $5,500 a realistic price for a new EV.EV pricing can shift fast, and these stories show just how wide the gap can be. For Audi lessees, that's a good reminder to weigh any buyout discount against the incentives available for other vehicles.Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.