VeeDub, of course there are exceptions but to suggest that "many" EV buyers keep their EVs for the long haul really
is a stretch. While shopping for an EV, most choose leasing over buying an EV for two main reasons:
1.) Lease payments on an EVs are artificially affordable. The manufacturer needs those CARB credits, and is willing to take a big loss per unit to obtain them. As an example, I've found leases for $30,000 Kia Soul EVs at $99 per month. The CEO of Fiat once said they lose $14,000 on every 500e they produce.
https://insideevs.com/fiat-ceo-fiat-loses-14000-every-500e-sold/
2.) An EV's main traction battery has a finite lifespan. People don't want to get stuck with a degraded battery.
Leasing
has lead to the proliferation of vehicles. That's not a stretch. In the last few years, the population in my city has had modest growth but there has been an explosion in both the number and size of car dealerships. I think that's a trend that's happening in other cities too. From an environmental point of view, I don't see that as a win.