Most of the general buying advice on this site still applies to an EV — the negotiation, financing, and inspection basics are the same. A few things are different enough to plan for separately.
Federal, state, and sometimes utility-level incentives can meaningfully lower an EV's effective cost, but eligibility rules (income limits, vehicle assembly location, battery sourcing, lease vs. purchase treatment) change often and vary by vehicle. Check current eligibility directly through official government sources at the time of purchase — don't rely on a number you saw months ago.
On a used EV, battery degradation is arguably more important than the odometer reading. Ask for a battery health report if the manufacturer or a diagnostic tool can provide one, and understand what's left of the battery warranty — these typically run longer than the rest of the vehicle's warranty, but coverage varies by manufacturer.
Home charging is generally cheaper than public fast charging by a significant margin, so your realistic running cost depends heavily on whether you can charge at home. Factor in your electricity rate and how often you'd realistically rely on public charging before comparing total cost against a gas equivalent.
Battery technology and range are improving quickly, and resale value on some EVs has been less predictable than on comparable gas cars. That combination makes leasing appealing to buyers who don't want to bet on long-term resale value of current battery tech — see leasing vs. financing for the general tradeoffs, which apply here with extra weight on the "leasing avoids depreciation risk" side.
If you don't already have one, installing a home Level 2 charger involves equipment and, often, electrical work — get a quote before you buy, not after, since it affects your real total cost the same way total cost of ownership factors do for any car.
Some EVs cost more to insure and repair than comparable gas vehicles, partly due to battery replacement costs and specialized repair requirements. Get an insurance quote for the specific model before buying, same as you would for any car — see total cost of ownership for the general approach.