Consumers have come to expect greater transparency and consistency in new vehicle pricing, whether online or at the dealership. In addition, there will be a continued expectation that automakers will offer incentives such as cash-back rebates and special financing for EVs, even with the currently available government-sponsored subsidies.

Higher EV manufacturing costs and the need to maintain competitive pricing in a growing market will mean tighter sales margins for most EVs as compared to gas-powered vehicles. Since most of the newer EV companies sell their vehicles direct to consumers, they significantly reduce distribution costs that traditional car companies incur with their independent dealer networks. While they won’t be able to make wholesale changes to their existing sales model right away, many plan to do so on a full-scale basis.