All-inclusive electric car subscriptions
Discover and compare top-rated electric vehicle subscriptions, and explore the latest offerings from trusted providers in the UK!
The 5 most popular subscription electric cars
You might be wondering, "What's all the buzz about?" Well, it's simple. Imagine having the flexibility to drive an electric vehicle (EV) without the long-term commitment of ownership. Sounds like a dream, right? But it's not. It's the reality of monthly EV subscriptions. And we're here to guide you through it!
What is an electric car subscription exactly?
Electric car subscriptions are fairly new, but demand is growing rapidly! Annedictotaly, car searches on our website have been growing every month for the past 2 years!
An electric car subscription is a monthly service that allows you to use an electric vehicle (EV) for a fixed monthly fee. This fee typically covers the car hire cost, tax, maintenance, breakdown cover, servicing, and comprehensive insurance.
It's similar to a lease but with more flexibility and additional services bundled in. The subscription contracts usually range from one to 24 months, which usually require only a month's notice to cancel.
They're all about offering you flexibility and convenience, bundling all car ownership costs into one fixed monthly payment. Consider it a lease with the flexibility and freedom of renting a car.
What does the monthly EV subscription include?
The monthly payments are all-inclusive and include the cost of hiring the car, fully comprehensive car insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, servicing, and maintenance.
With an EV car subscription, your monthly payment includes the following:
- The cost of hiring the car.
- Fully comprehensive car insurance.
- Road tax.
- Breakdown cover (24/7 roadside assistance).
- Servicing (including when things go wrong or the car is due an annual service).
- Monthly mileage allowance.
- Normal wear and tear of the vehicle.
As you can see from the above, there's little to think about regarding maintenance, so subscriptions make car ownership easy! Plus, electric cars don't require as much work as regular non-electric cars.
Our founder had a Polestar 2 on a subscription, and it was due a service. A person from elmo (a subscription provider) arranged for the servicing in his driveway. This was very convenient, and it only took about 40 minutes!
Also, subscription providers usually offer about 800 miles/month. Still, you can buy more if you drive a lot, which is cheaper than the excess mileage fees afterwards!
Read our in-depth guide on how mileage works with car subscriptions.
What is the process of subscribing to a car?
Subscribing to an electric car is straightforward. Here are the usual steps:
- Choose a provider: Research various electric car subscription services to find one that suits your needs and budget. Consider factors like the range of vehicles offered and other fees (e.g. delivery). See this page to compare the best subscription services.
- Select a vehicle: Once you've chosen a provider, browse their selection of electric cars. Some providers offer many models, from Tesla Model 3s and Ys to cheaper options like the Vauxhall Mokka-e, Peugeot e-2008 GT or the Fiat 500e.
- Customise your subscription plan: Decide on the length of your subscription (some providers let you commit for longer, saving a little bit of money) and any additional services you want to include, such as more mileage, additional driver or charging cables.
- Identity and driver checks: Once you've picked your EV, you will be asked to provide more personal information - delivery address, bank account details for the direct debit, driving license number, etc. You may also need to pay a deposit or an initial delivery fee.
- Receive your electric car: After your subscription is confirmed, the subscription provider will arrange the delivery of your car. Some providers deliver the car directly to your door within just 3 days, while others may require about a week.
- Swap for another EV: You can change your EV as many times as you want during your subscription. Each time, the provider will collect the existing car, carry out an inspection, and then take your details for the new one, one on the same day!
- Cancelling your subscription: When your subscription term ends, and you want to return the car, the provider will pick it up. Ensure you've read the rules, which usually require cleaning and washing the car ahead of the collection. An inspection will be carried out, and a report will be sent to you.
It's important to keep in mind that subscription processes may differ from provider to provider.
Our founder has been driving a subscription EV since February 2023 and wrote his thoughts about the process with elmo here.
Driver eligibility and rules
Subscribing to an EV is easier than getting one on finance (e.g. PCP, HP). Rules are more relaxed, and because you're not applying for credit, affordability is usually not considered.
When it comes to driver eligibility for car subscriptions, there are a few key factors that providers typically consider:
- Age: Many car subscription services require drivers to be at least 25. However, some may allow younger drivers with an additional fee or specific conditions.
- Driving license: You must hold a valid driving license. Some providers may require that you've held your license for at least 3 years.
- Driving record: Providers will check your driving record for any serious offences or a high number of penalty points, which could affect your eligibility.
- Credit check: Some services may perform a credit check to confirm your identity or assess your financial reliability. This isn't always the case, but if a credit check is required, a good credit score can increase your chances of approval.
You may not be approved if:
- You have more than 6 points on your driving licence.
- You have criminal convictions or have been charged with a criminal offence.
- You have had any major driving convictions in the last 3 years.
- You have been disqualified from driving in the last 5 years.
Again, subscription eligibility may vary between different services, so keep that in mind!
Types of electric cars available
Whether you're looking for a compact city car, a family-friendly SUV, or a high-performance luxury vehicle, there's likely an electric car subscription service that has what you need. Here are some examples:
- Compact cars: Ideal for city driving and shorter commutes, compact electric cars like the Fiat 500e and the Renault Zoe are often available through subscription services. They're known for their manoeuvrability, efficiency, and lower monthly subscription costs.
- Family cars: For those needing more space, family-sized electric cars like the Hyundai Ioniq Electric and the MG 5 estate are great options. These vehicles offer more room for passengers and cargo, making them perfect for family outings or longer trips.
- Luxury cars: If you're looking for a touch of luxury, some subscription services offer high-end electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and the Jaguar I-Pace. These cars combine the environmental benefits of electric power with premium features and performance.
- Sporty cars: Sporty electric vehicles like the Model 3 Performance, Polestar 2 and the Cupra Born are available for those who crave performance. These vehicles offer impressive acceleration and handling.
You can use our car search to browse the latest subscription EVs!
Subscriptions compared with car buying, renting and leasing.
One of the biggest questions regarding getting your hands on a new car is the cost of owning it and the responsibilities that come with it. Here we have compared the most important aspects of car subscription vs buying:
Subscription
Buying
Subscription
Renting
Subscription
Long-term lease
We have two very in-depth guides on the above topics, so be sure to check them out:
- Car subscription vs buying a car: What's best for you?
- Car subscription, leasing or renting: What's best for you?
Making the most out of your EV subscription
We've compiled the list below, highlighting how to maximise your EV subscription.
Cheap home charging with EV energy tariffs
Even though the UK is at the end of the energy crisis, it may still be worth exploring the different electricity tariffs designed for EV owners who want to charge at home.
These home charging tariffs are only available for recharging your electric vehicle. You are given an off-peak rate for up to 7 hours at night. These cheap periods are usually between midnight and 6am.
Check out our best EV tariffs guide, listing all current energy tariffs, their rates and customer ratings. Expect tariffs from providers such as Octopus, EDF, Scottish Power and others!
Free public charging stations
Is there such a thing as a free lunch? Yes. According to Zap-Map, about 8.5% of all chargers in the UK are free – as of April 2023, that's more than 3.500!
Most of these are found in supermarkets, so you can recharge while grocery shopping. You can use Zap-Maps, or other charging apps, to find a charging station near you! Bargain.
You can also check out our interactive map of electric car charging stations!
London perk #1 - Congestion charge exemption
All fully electric cars are completely exempt from the London Congestion Charge and the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge. This will be the case until 25 December 2025. All you have to do is pay the £10 per year admin fee, and you can enjoy unlimited free travel to the City.
London perk #2 - Pay for 10min, park for up to 4hrs
This is available for both fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids. Drivers pay for just 10 minutes in Westminster’s on-street bays and park for the maximum amount of time indicated. You can park and charge very cheaply! These chargers support 5kW to 50kW, so you may get lucky if you find a quick one! You can find out more about this scheme here.
"Green" number plate benefits
Planned ‘green licence plate’ initiatives may allow EV drivers to use bus lanes. This is currently still being worked on and isn't available yet. It's certainly something which will make many drivers think twice before picking another diesel, or petrol, car. More on this here.
Swap EVs as often as you want
Most subscription companies in the UK allow you to swap cars as often as you like, as long as you give a month's notice.
The one thing to keep in mind is that some providers may charge you for the delivery and collection when you decide to change your cars. Please read our guide on delivery and collections when subscribing to a car.
How to pick the right subscription electric car
Even though most of the usual car expenses are covered by one monthly payment, it's still important to consider all other factors that play a key role in choosing an electric car.
The first is your budget and how much you can afford to spend on the monthly subscription fee and charging. At least, financial considerations are easier because you know exactly how much you're paying for the car every month, eliminating any unexpected costs (even if the vehicle breaks down, the subscription provider will cover the cost of repairs).
If you're switching to an EV from a diesel or petrol motor, range will be on your mind. Luckily, so many charging stations are dotted around the UK that topping up your battery has never been easier.
However, if you're expecting many long drives to distant areas, you'll need a car with a longer range and a good plan for charging on the way.
There's a lot to be said about the EV driving experience. You should just read our guide to learn more about what this is like. You can expect your car to be a lot more responsive and quiet (to say the least).
You can also check if your employer offers (or is open to offering) electric car subscriptions through the business.
Finally, remember to check the subscription terms! Look at the minimum commitment term and what's included in the package. What are the excess mileage fees, delivery and collection costs, and deposits? Can you swap cars or cancel the subscription easily if your needs change?
EV subscription FAQs
Once you've picked a subscription provider, it only takes a few minutes to sign up and create an account.
Normally you'll pass all eligibility and identity within a couple of hours, and your delivery date and time will be confirmed. Some providers offer deliveries within 3 working days, others a week.
It's very unlikely that you'll be given a brand-new car. However, all EVs available on subscription are usually 3-4 years old. It's a new segment, so many models are still quite new.
Chances are you'll be driving nearly new cars with very few miles on the clock. That's one thing that subscriptions do a lot better than rentals. Cars are generally newer and don't exchange hands as often as rentals, meaning they are better maintained and looked after.
Car subscriptions don't appear on your credit report, which is great news for people who are trying to avoid getting 'hard searches' and want to keep their history clean.
Most providers carry out checks to confirm your identity and look at whether you can afford the monthly payments. This is a 'soft credit search' which appears in your credit report but doesn't affect your credit score.
Yes, subscription providers allow you to add more mileage to your monthly subscription. Being proactive and paying for mileage add ons is always cheaper than paying the excess mileage fee at the end of your subscription contract.
If you drive more miles than your subscription allows, you will be charged anything between £0.20 to £1.25 per mile.
Read our in-depth guide on mileage (we also have a handy table comparing UK providers).
Once your subscription has come to an end and you don't renew, your car will be collected by the subscription provider.
The car will then be inspected for any damage that isn’t just normal wear and tear. If any additional servicing is required, you may be asked to cover the cost.
Apart from that, no further monthly payments will be taken, and the car will be collected. Read our in-depth guide on how to cancel your car subscription.
Yes, salary sacrifice is available for electric vehicle (EV) subscriptions. Salary sacrifice is a scheme where employees give up part of their pre-tax salary in exchange for certain benefits, such as an EV subscription. This can lead to significant savings, as the monthly subscription cost is taken from an employee's gross salary, reducing their tax liability.
The exact savings can vary, but they can be as high as 30-60% on electric cars. It's important to note that the availability of salary sacrifice schemes can depend on the employer and the EV subscription service, so it's always a good idea to check with both.
Learn more about the subscription salary sacrifice schemes in the UK here.
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