Electric cars have taken the automotive industry by storm. And now, with electric car leasing helping even more customers make the switch, it’s easier than ever for you to go green.
Advantages of going electric?
Electric cars cost less to run.
They're better for the planet.
And they provide you with the latest technological advancement.
Make no mistake - the EV revolution has begun and it's here to stay.
If you're considering biting the bullet and trying out an electric car the next time you renew your vehicle lease, then this guide is perfect for you.
In this comprehensive guide to electric car leasing, we'll look at:
How electric cars work
The benefits of driving an EV
The disadvantages of EVs
The best electric cars on the market today
Electric car lease agreements
EV charging solutions
The advantages of leasing vs buying a car
Why you should choose LeaseCar as your leasing partner
Carry on reading to learn everything you could need to know about electric cars, or get in touch with the LeaseCar team to discuss the options and secure the perfect leasing deal today!
Here at LeaseCar, we're looking to help drivers go green and make the transition to an electric car.
As the UK’s number one car leasing provider, we source affordable car leasing deals for all of the most popular EVs on the market - compiled in a way that's easily accessible for you.
But, why should you listen to us?
It's a great question and one that we've got a pretty compelling answer to!
Here at LeaseCar, our team are all experts in the field of car leasing. We're not your average car salesmen - we know what we're talking about, and we can help you to find the perfect car for any purpose and any budget.
It's just what we do.
And we think that's vital when you're looking for a new car. You need accurate, reliable information with no jargon - you want to get the ball rolling quickly, and that's exactly what we'll help you to do.
If you're a fan of informative guides, you're in luck. We've got lots of different resources on cars, leasing deals, trends - you name it! - right here on our website, all designed to educate you on your chosen topic so that you can find the perfect car without the hassle.
No matter whether you're looking for a hybrid car, a car lease with insurance, or just looking to learn a little bit more about how car leasing works, we've got something for you - click here to head over to our resource hub, where you'll have access to all of these guides and so much more!
Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably heard a lot about electric cars in the last few years, but with so much information - and misinformation - swirling around, it's hard to know whether you should make the switch.
If you’re looking for an everyday car that you'll be relying on for the morning commute, the school run, shopping trips, and more, you might be wondering if going electric is really the practical choice.
One of the biggest points of confusion surrounding electric cars is the way that they work. Whilst we're all very familiar with how a combustion engine works, having used them for so long, electric batteries in cars are a brand-new concept to most.
And that takes some getting used to.
Of course, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing - it's a phenomenal engineering advancement that's revolutionising motoring and automobiles, creating opportunities for positive change that'll allow for greener travel that protects the environment.
As we've briefly mentioned above, electric cars don't have a combustion engine that's powered by diesel or petrol - they instead use a fully electric battery that's cleaner, greener, and technically brilliant.
So how do you fuel an electric car?
You might be surprised to learn this, but you don’t.
Electric cars don’t need any fuel at all. You simply plug them into an electricity source to charge, just like a mobile phone does. Now, of course, the scale between a mobile and a car is completely different - the car will need far more power and a specially designed charger - but the basic principle remains the same; plug it in, let it charge, and then you're free to use it as you like!
We'll cover electric car charging solutions a little bit later on in this guide, so stick around if you want to find out what the best charging solutions are and how you can get one installed at your home if you have the space!
Moving to an electric car model is something that's highly recommended at the moment, and it's going to become an even more important move as we progress in the future. In the UK, the government has set pledges to cease production of all combustion engine vehicles by 2030, by which point you'll need to make the switch to an EV anyway.
At the moment, there are lots of incentives to switch to an electric battery vehicle on top of the benefits of driving one, such as clean air zone fee exemption and similar fee exemptions in major cities. By saving on these fees, as well as fuel, you're likely to find that driving an electric car works out to be significantly cheaper than a petrol or diesel car throughout your electric car lease deal.
Here are some of the top benefits of driving an electric car:
They’re better for the environment
They’re much cheaper to run
They feature the latest automotive technology
They can save you on fees
They prepare you for the future
As you can see, there are lots of ways that driving an electric car can benefit you as a driver.They’ll reduce your carbon footprint, reduce your monthly automotive costs, and also get you ready for the electric car revolution that’s on its way. There are very few downsides to driving an electric car, but of course, there are a couple that you need to consider before you commit to leasing an electric car.
Here are some of the disadvantages to be aware of before you take out your electric vehicle leasing agreement:
They take some time to get used to
If you can’t charge at home, you’ll need to find another solution
They’re not best suited to long-haul journeys*
*The average range of an electric car is 194 miles per full charge, according to the latest studies.
As you can probably see, the drawbacks are minimal in comparison to the benefits that driving an electric vehicle can offer to you as a driver, which is why we’re such big advocates for making the switch to these eco-friendly vehicles.
The electric car market is growing rapidly and, with this growth, your options of manufacturers to choose from are expanding too!
When the electric car market first too off, options were few and far between - this made it hard to find the perfect vehicle for your needs as a driver, and became something of a barrier to EV adoption.
Today, this thankfully is no longer an issue - there are lots of different electric cars to choose from in every category, giving you the opportunity to find the perfect vehicle for your needs, regardless of what those may be.
When you choose an EV, you’ll be getting a car that you can count on, no matter how you intend to use it. Whether you’re tackling the morning commute, heading off on corporate away days, or looking for a car that’s big enough to take the family away on holiday, you’ll be able to find an electric car that smashes your expectations.
What’s more, the quality of these cars is now much higher too. Electric cars make use of the latest automotive technology and are designed to go the distance. They’re tough, reliable, and incredibly durable these days, making them an excellent option when considering an electric car lease deal.
From hatchbacks and coupes to high-end luxury electric cars, there’s something for every type of driver. If you want to learn more about the best electric vehicles available here at LeaseCar, check out our category highlights below!
The hatchback is the UK’s favourite car class, and it’s pretty easy to see why - by combining a compact, space-saving design with excellent performance and stylish design, hatchbacks tick all of the boxes for the modern driver.
Electric hatchbacks are also incredibly affordable when it comes to leasing too, giving you a practical car that’ll release some of the pressure on your wallet and ensure that your transport costs are simple and easy to manage.
But what are the best hatchbacks to lease?
Here are our favourites:
The ID.3 is a cleverly designed vehicle that offers every driver exactly what they want. It was created by VW using the same design process that has produced timeless vehicles like the Polo and Golf.
This wonderful hatchback, which is perfect for families, couples, or solo drivers, combines practicality and stylistic bliss, bringing sleek modern style to your driveway as well as a variety of onboard tech features that enhance the driving experience.
The Volkswagen ID.3 stands out from competitors and provides daily drivers with a sturdy car that they can rely on.
Due to the Vauxhall Corsa's all-around performance, gorgeous appearance, and incredibly low price, it has long been one of the most well-liked cars in the UK. As a result, it's not surprising to find that demand for the Corsa-e is soaring.
The Corsa-e takes all of the fantastic qualities you adore about the Corsa and embeds them into a more cutting-edge car that's prepared to assist you in lowering your carbon footprint.
Whilst driving the Corsa-e, you'll still experience that familiar thrill, but this time it's accompanied by an advanced onboard infotainment system that's intended to make your trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
All of this is in addition to many additional safety features that safeguard you while you're on the road.
It is not surprising to see many of the top automakers attempting to make their mark in the electric car market given the popularity of SUVs over the past few years.
Although the crowding EV market is becoming more challenging for manufacturers to dominate, it does mean that now is a great time to be a driver looking for a new car. As there are so many fantastic options currently available on the market, when it comes to electric car leasing, you're now spoilt for choice!
There is an electric SUV to suit everyone, from sportier SUVs that are perfect for cruising along twisting roads to roomy cars that make family vacations easier than ever.
Here is our top pick for electric SUVs:
When it comes to family vehicles, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is hard to top; it is a real best-in-class EV that checks all the right boxes for a family vehicle while still being able to handle the daily commute and a trip to the store without breaking a sweat.
The central panel-based integrated technology, which is intelligent and user-friendly and gives you full control over all of the car's infotainment features, is a real highlight in the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Combine this with a sleek, modern design and long-distance battery range, and you've got a brilliant car that you're sure to adore.
In addition to all of this, the Ioniq 5 excels in both charging speed and single-charge range, allowing you to travel between destinations without having to be concerned about time-consuming charges.
The market for luxury vehicles is the one in which EVs genuinely shine. High-end electric car producers have demonstrated time and again that they are experts at creating executive vehicles that exude class, luxury, and practicality.
Here's a quick rundown of our recommendations for the best luxury EVs on the market today:
The Tesla Model 3's allure is difficult to deny. When you're thinking about leasing an electric car, it's got to be one of the cars that you're seriously considering.
Tesla’s impact on the EV industry can’t be overstated. They’ve paved the way for the current fleet of green electric cars on the roads today, and they’re continuing to develop, innovate, and improve every time they release a new vehicle to the public.
The Tesla Model 3 has been widely regarded as the quintessential electric vehicle since it was launched. It offers a host of extra features that rival manufacturers simply cannot match, both in terms of practical vehicle performance and the technology inside, making it the number one choice for drivers searching for the best of the best.
The Tesla is also one of the most useful EVs available, offering unrivalled range and lightning-fast charging capabilities that allow you to resume driving in just one hour!
The Model Y takes everything you love about the Model 3 and makes it bigger, comfier, and better in every sense - if you’re looking for a technological marvel of a car that’s ideal for families, there are very few cars that even manage to enter the conversation.
But what makes the Model Y so impressive?
Here are our favourite things about the Tesla Model Y:
1. A quiet, peaceful ride at any speed
One of the most crucial things you learn as a new driver is to listen to your engine for signs, but doing so can be a little challenging without a combustion engine.
As you travel to your destination, you will no longer hear the roar of a petrol or diesel engine; instead, you will only hear the gentle hum of the electric battery. This quieter, more peaceful trip helps to produce a tranquil travel atmosphere that you just can't match with any other mode of transport.
Nonetheless, you'll still be informed if there are any engine problems, but this time it won't be by the sound of the engine coughing and spluttering. Instead, the car’s integrated control panel will notify you if any problems are found during the regular system diagnostics that are conducted as you drive.
2. Skip the petrol station and charge at home
Putting the keys in the ignition, filling up at the petrol station, and checking your engine if you ever notice any irregularities are a few things that, if you've been driving for a while, probably feel like second nature to you.
However, with a Tesla Model Y, these challenges are all problems of the past.
With the Model Y, everything is made simpler and more intuitive. Your experience as a driver is as close to perfect as it gets, complemented by the best onboard infotainment system that money can buy.
One thing is for sure: when you’re driving the Tesla Model Y, you and your passengers are in for a thoroughly enjoyable time.
3. There’s loads of space for passengers and possessions
Although, at first glance, the Tesla Model Y may not appear to have a tonne of storage space, it actually has a huge amount of room inside! Due to the absence of a bulky combustion engine, there's loads of free space in the Model Y, which can be used as an additional boot for your larger items.
You'll now be able to carry so much more in a single trip, but you're going to have to get used to opening the bonnet to reveal handy storage space rather than a huge petrol or diesel engine first!
Tesla, watch your back - there’s fresh competition and it’s here with a bang.
The Polestar 2 is new to the market, but it’s already grabbing the headlines as one of the best luxury electric cars on the market today. It packs a huge punch, but also features the subtleness and practicality that’s required for an everyday vehicle. It’s a great car that you should seriously consider if you’re in the market for a high-end electric vehicle lease deal.
The Polestar 2 is a well-rounded vehicle that is appropriate for any driver in any circumstance thanks to its beautiful design, superb build quality, and exceptionally fun driving experience.
Driving an electric car won't be for everyone at first because it gives a totally different experience than what you're used to with a combustion engine. However, after some time, we're confident you'll grow quite fond of the quiet, calming hum that the electric engine produces as it cruises down the road.
We've even discovered that this quieter, smoother ride encourages you to focus more on driving and fully savour the experience, helping you to fall deeper in love with your fantastic new car!
The Polestar 2 checks off every aesthetic feature that you could possibly wish for; it's sleek, stylish, and modern, yet still incredibly refined and sophisticated, making it the perfect blend of effortless and eye-catching.
The Polestar 2 is the electric car of the future on your driveway today. It features phenomenal internal technology, operated from the main touchscreen panel, giving you full control over your infotainment system in just a few twists, clicks, and taps.
The question of refuelling showcases the biggest difference between electric and combustion engine cars.
As you are probably already aware, petrol and diesel cars are refuelled using carbon-based fuels that are available at petrol stations across the nation, with the price varying depending on the supplier you select and the current demand for fuel.
Fuel prices can rise to ridiculous levels during periods of excessive demand, as was the case during the fuel crisis of 2021-22. If this happens, driving your car can become instantly less affordable, but with an electric car, you'll be able to avoid this major inconvenience.
When you need to charge your electric car, you simply connect the vehicle to a specially designed charging station. Electric car chargers can be found in many locations out in public and can even be installed at your home, giving you more flexibility in how you choose to charge your car.
If you drive an electric car, you don't need to head to the petrol station to refuel - just plug in at your nearest charger and you're on the way to a fully-charged battery!
In general, there are two ways that you can choose to charge your electric car, which are:
Charging at home
Charging out in public
By charging at either location, you can keep the car charged and prepared for your next journey, wherever that might be.
The topic of home charging will be of great interest to the majority of people who are thinking about leasing an electric vehicle. Public chargers certainly make it easier for you to run your new EV, but for many drivers, the ability to charge at home will be a key facilitator in whether they're feasibly able to lease an electric car.
If this is your view on the situation, you'll want to install your own electric car charging station at your home. This can be in your garage or on your driveway - it's up to you where it's placed, and you'll be able to choose the location that's most convenient for your household.
Toinstall your charger, you'll need the assistance of a qualified electrician, so be sure to factor this into your overall lease costs. Also consider that accessible space around the exterior of your house, such as a garage or driveway, will naturally be required to install a home charger.
Installing a home charger at your place of residence gives you the freedom to decide when to charge your car. If you spend a lot of time at home, this may enable you to keep your car fully charged for the majority of the day, allowing you to get in and drive right away whenever you need to.
Additionally,if you recharge your car at home, you can benefit from off-peak electricity prices, which lowers the cost of recharging and lowers the overall operating costs of your automobile.
Due to the need for wires to be routed from the unit to the automobile, on-street parking will not provide suitable space to install a home car charger. If you want to use a home charger, you'll need off-street parking.
However, you will still be able to drive an electric car even if you don't have off-street parking; you'll just need to find another charging solution that's easily accessible as often as you might need it.
We are also witnessing an increase in the number of businesses installing electric car chargers in their private parking areas as more employers adopt green policies at the workplace.
This gives workers the chance to recharge their electric cars during downtime at the office. Therefore, theoretically, you may be able to alleviate fears around range anxiety by charging your car throughout the day whilst you're at work.
Please get in touch with our staff right away for more advice, whether you need help installing your home charging station or choosing a utility plan that allows charging your electric car.
People who are interested in leasing an electric car often worry that they won't be able to find charging stations when they are out and about. This anxiety is perfectly normal and comparable to what you may feel while driving a car with a combustion engine that's running low on petrol.
The majority of parking lots, train stations, and supermarket car parks all have charging stations that can be used by the general public, as do apartment parking lots, which means car charging stations are becoming far more accessible all the time.
The widespread accessibility of these charging stations can be a lifesaver if you find yourself in an emergency with low battery levels remaining.
When you have enough juice to drive home, you can leave the public charger and make your journey home, where you can plug your car into your home charger, getting the most out of those lower energy rates.
When compared to a petrol or diesel vehicle, which can resume driving almost immediately after refuelling, an electric vehicle may need a little more time to recharge before returning to the road. However, this wait time is much shorter than you might think and shouldn't cause too much of a hindrance.
Because there are now fast-charging stations all across the country, you can recharge your vehicle to 80% of its full battery capacity in less than an hour. This will enable you to return as quickly as possible to your charger at home.
An electric car lease agreement allows you to rent a car at a fixed monthly cost.
At LeaseCar, our Personal Contract Hire (PCH) agreement provides drivers with many benefits, making it a great alternative to other types of car finance, such as PCP and HP financing options.
The straightforward terms of Personal Contract Hire car finance make it easy to manage - you simply choose your car, select your initial rental and duration, and you're good to go!
The primary drawback of a PCH lease is that you won't own the car, nor will you have the option to either. For those looking for a long-term investment, this may be a deal-breaker, but if you're simply looking for a no-strings-attached vehicle to drive for the next few years, Personal Contract Hire is the perfect option.
For those looking to get the latest car models on their driveway - on rotation - every few years, electric car leasing is a smart way to do it.
But this isn’t the only benefit.
Your monthly fee will be much cheaper than with other types of finance
Leasing is the best option if you want a hassle-free car that doesn't cost a fortune.
Unlike other types of car finance agreements such as Hire Purchase or PCP, the cost of your PCH monthly rental will not be determined by the overall value of the car.
Instead, you're only paying a rental fee for your use of the car throughout your contract. This keeps costs much lower than deals where the end goal is to purchase the car - in which case, your payments contribute to the overall purchase cost so will be calculated as higher.
Maintenance plans are available to keep your car in top shape
A PCH plan requires the driver to be responsible for the vehicle's upkeep. This can be daunting initially, but if you take good care of the vehicle and stick to an effective maintenance and servicing plan, we're confident that you'll be able to return the car to the dealership without facing additional costs at the end of your lease agreement.
You’ll get to refresh your wheels every couple of years
Everyone loves the feeling of driving a brand-new car.
That new car smell, the perfect interior, and the faultless engineering are a joy to behold, and it’s a feeling that you can experience far more often when you’re utilising electric car leasing deals to your advantage!
If you're the type of person who likes to drive the newest, most cutting-edge vehicles, Personal Contract Hire vehicle leasing is the perfect option. You will have the option to choose a completely different vehicle to lease at the conclusion of each lease term, giving you the chance to drive a brand-new vehicle every 2, 3, or 4 years!
PCH car leasing is ideal for keeping things fresh, modern, and in top condition.
You don’t need to worry about balloon payments
Balloon payments are a notoriously worrying part of the car finance process, with drivers being obligated to pay lenders a lump sum at the end of a car finance agreement.
This can often mean that drivers leave themselves out of pocket and in possession of a car that’s decreasing in price by the day, making it a tough asset to sell.
With our PCH car leasing agreements, you won’t need to worry about any of that.
We don’t offer purchase options, so depreciation and asset value will never be something you need to think about - just drive your car for the set amount of time, then hand it back to the dealership at the end of your lease term. It’s that easy!
When you enter electric car leasing with LeaseCar, there’s nothing to stress about. Everything’s taken care of and all you’ll need to think about is paying your monthly rental costs, arranging your insurance and keeping your battery charged.
If you need to travel a lot, either socially or for work, having a car is probably one of your biggest priorities after home, food, and water.
It also means that you need to have access to a car that you can rely on. With so much riding on being able to travel, there’s very capacity to deal with issues, so having a car that’s in great condition that you can trust to get you from A to B is essential.
Due to your ability to keep things fresh with lease deals, issues like technical faults and wear and tear problems are very rare - your car is newer and subject to regular maintenance and servicing, so any potential problems will be identified and rectified as soon as possible.
Leasing is, undoubtedly, one of the most affordable ways to get behind the wheel of a brand-new car, especially when compared with the costs of purchasing one outright, which can often cost tens of thousands of pounds.
In addition, initial rental costs for leasing agreements are typically substantially lower than for other forms of vehicle financing, such as Personal Contract Purchase or Hire Purchase car finance. You'll even have the option to lower your monthly costs further by committing to a higher initial purchase price, but that's completely up to you. Finding a financial structure that works best for your bank account is one of the biggest benefits of a PCH agreement!
Creating the best customer experience possible is our number one priority here at LeaseCar. We’re only happy if we’re able to find our customers the perfect car leasing deals for their dream cars, and we have a fantastic reputation for doing so.
As the UK’s most trusted car leasing provider, we guarantee the sweetest electric car leasing deals on the market’s leading EVs.
From our handy guides to our simple and easy-to-use cost calculator, we’re always looking for ways to improve your customer experience.
We hope our guide to electric car leasing has helped you to understand the benefits of EVs and the abundance of options available on the market today - there’s a lot of information to digest, so be sure to reference back to this article if you feel like you need to brush up on your facts before you make any big decisions.
If you’re ready to start your journey towards an affordable electric car leasing deal, get in touch with our team or browse our collection of affordable car leasing deals on our website today!
VAT Reg No. 715 25 1558 Company Reg. No. 3635778
Financial Services Register No. 677877 ICO Registration No. Z7112215
LeaseCar UK is a trading style of Central Contracts (S.O.T.) Limited
Central Contracts (S.O.T.) Limited is a credit broker not a lender
Central Contracts (S.O.T.) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
We are acting as a credit broker for the purposes of arranging your selected finance contract.
We have a commercial relationship with a carefully selected panel of lenders and we may receive a commission from the selected lender.
We do not charge you a fee for our credit broking services.
All primary prices shown on this page ex VAT at the prevailing rate unless otherwise stated.
An excess mileage charge may be applied if the contracted mileage is exceeded. Full details will be provided within the written quotation.
You will not own the vehicle and it should be returned clean in a condition that is commensurate with its age and mileage, otherwise charges may apply.
From April 2020 WLTP will replace the current NEDC test procedure for establishing the official Fuel Consumption and CO2 emissions of new cars.
Please be aware of the following:
For vehicles registered on or after 1st April 2020 vehicle road tax costs will be based on the WLTP CO2 values and may change the monthly rental cost.
Vehicles registered on or after 6 April 2020 Please be aware the addition of certain factory fitted options may impact the vehicles co2 emissions and affect your monthly rental.
The Financial Ombudsman (FOS) is an agency for arbitrating on unresolved complaints between regulated firms and their clients. Full details of the FOS can be found on its website at www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk.
