Electric Car Leasing: What's Involved?

Lately, electric cars have captured the imagination of the public in a big way. This is primarily due to motorist’s concerns over spiralling petrol costs but also due to an increasing awareness of the environmental consequences of the air pollution from traditional cars.



Although electric cars are now being touted as the transport choice of the future, they have had many false dawns in the past. The Ford TH!NK, for example, proved to be a short lived failure, with production coming to an end in 2002, 3 years after it began.



Now however there is genuine hope that the electric car’s day has finally come. The technology has advanced rapidly and electric cars are once again emerging as a viable alternative to the petrol powered variant.



Many people may still be uncertain whether an electric car will meet all their requirements. They are perhaps concerned about top speed, range or recharging. Furthermore, they maybe cannot yet afford the price premium that electric cars currently command. For these people the alternative to buying an electric car is leasing.

In actual fact, only certain electric cars can be leased at present. For example, the Mini E electric car is currently only available to lease at £11 pounds a day, but this is limited to just 20 people who were chosen by lottery. Electric cars are nevertheless moving on from being expensive prototypes and becoming increasingly accessible to ordinary users.



Respected manufacturer Peugeot have made a serious commitment to the market with the i0N. This is the latest in a range of electric car offerings from Peugeot and is available only to lease on a 4 year or 40,000 mile deal at just £415 per month. This includes full warranty, servicing and maintenance.



Makers are encouraging people to buy their cars. The government is also keen that zero emission car sales increase. For electric cars and other environmentally sound vehicles the government offers a grant. As of January 2011, The Department for Transport provides £5000 against the cost of a fully electric or plug-in hybrid car. Other incentives such as road tax exemption and no congestion fee in central London all make electric car ownership that bit more appealing.



Despite the technology in the engine and battery being revolutionary, most mechanics state that apart from needing to earth the car beforehand, servicing it will be a simpler process than with current petrol cars. Although basic car maintenance, such as checking tyre pressure or timely windshield replacement will still remain familiar to many motorists, the lack of clutches , exhausts and other parts will make electric car ownership a cheaper and simpler experience for the vast majority of owners.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.