What is e-car leasing?
The leasing of a e-cars is a very good alternative to buying. Instead of one-off high acquisition costs, lessees receive the rights to use the car for a monthly fee. The monthly fee depends on the contract period, the annual free kilometers and the car model. The higher the new price of the car, the higher the monthly leasing fee.
The monthly leasing installment also covers usage rights; insurance, vehicle tax, maintenance and wear and tear costs must be paid in addition. However, some leasing providers allow you to book additional packages that include part of these costs.
When is electric car leasing worthwhile?
Whether leasing an e-car makes sense for you always depends on your own wishes and financial situation. You should also ask yourself how important it is to you to be the owner of the vehicle.
The benefits of leasing are clear: You always drive a new car and can change the model at the end of the contract period. In addition, wear repairs are hardly to be expected, as these are often new cars or young used cars.
Probably the biggest advantage of leasing e-cars is that there are no high one-off purchase costs. In addition, many leasing rates are often cheaper than loans. Leased e-cars also receive funding from BAFA, which reduces the leasing rate - depending on the duration of the contract. If a contract runs for at least 23 months, the e-car receives the full environmental bonus.
You also don't have to worry about the car losing value, as you can return it after the contract period. This way, you won't have to sell your car again yourself. A particularly attractive advantage is that you have the opportunity to use the latest models, which is a real win given the rapid developments in the e-mobility industry. Leasing contracts often run for two to four years. You can then lease a more recent model.
E-car leasing requirements
- residence in Germany
- No negative SCHUFA entries
- Preferably permanent employment
- Regular income that is appropriate for the vehicle price
E-car leasing — term and termination
In the case of e-car leasing, the contract usually runs between 24 and 48 months and early termination is usually not possible. The only option to get out of the contract earlier than agreed is to transfer the lease to another person on the same terms. But for this, on the one hand, someone must be found to take over the leasing, and on the other hand, not all lessors offer this transfer of the contract.
Now to the special features of an e-car: The purchase costs of an electric car are higher than for vehicles with internal combustion engines. This increases leasing rates. However, since e-cars receive government bonuses that apply not only when buying but also when leasing, this premium can be apportioned to the leasing installments, as mentioned above.
The lessee also benefits from low operating and maintenance costs and, in some cities, for example, from reduced or completely waived parking fees. The lifespan of the expensive battery system also doesn't matter, as the electric vehicle and battery can be leased. The lessee therefore does not have to be interested in when the battery is at full capacity and whether better battery storage systems will be on the market in the future, as he will only use the car for his rental period.
Another advantage: electric cars are initially exempt from motor vehicle tax. For e-cars with initial registration by the end of 2025, the tax exemption is valid for a maximum of ten years, but no more than December 31, 2030.
As with any leased vehicle, the lessee is committed to regular maintenance. And when it comes to service and repairs, it can be cheaper with an electric vehicle, because it is much simpler than a car with an internal combustion engine and has fewer wear parts. Clutch, transmission or exhaust problems are not expected. The silent electric motors also do not require a change of timing belts, oil filters or spark plugs.
What should you pay attention to when leasing e-cars?
Anyone who opts for a leased electric car as a private individual should go through a few points with their dealer. An important aspect is the repair and maintenance of electric cars. Although an e-car has fewer wear parts and requires little maintenance, regular inspection is still important. And since not every workshop is suitable for an e-car, it is important to clarify which workshop with e-drive expertise is also concerned with the battery. Due to age, it loses performance over time. How is this included in the contract or in the case of separate battery rental? In order to avoid expensive surprises at the end of the contract period, these points should definitely be addressed. Good e-car leasing offers can always be found on the Internet. It is important to compare offers and pay particular attention to the fine print. What are the transfer costs? Is battery rental included?
expenses
The costs for e-car leasing are based on the purchase price of the vehicle and the minimum contract period. The longer the contract runs, the lower the monthly installments. In addition, interested parties must comply with an annual mileage rate when leasing e-cars, which should not be exceeded.
If more than the agreed kilometers are traveled, additional payment must be made. However, if fewer kilometers are used, money is also returned.
If you need more annual kilometers, you can book them directly when you sign the contract, but this also increases the monthly installments.
The additional costs of e-car leasing are:
- Transfer costs
- motor vehicle tax
- tire service
- servicing
- car insurance
- approval
Does the GHG quota also exist for leased e-cars?
Depending on the lessor, the premium is paid by GHG ratio deducted from the monthly installments or the lessee may receive the premium himself through a provider of GHG quotas and thus earn a few hundred euros per year.
Since January 1, 2022, users of an e-car have even been able to earn money — with the so-called greenhouse gas reduction rate, or GHG quota for short. They sell the CO2 savings of their environmentally friendly vehicle as an emission certificate (such as a promissory note or a share) on the open market, through an intermediary. This applies not only to the purchase of an electric car, but also to a leasing contract. Depending on the offer, this includes an annual income of up to 350 euros. The trend is rising, as the GHG quota is expected to rise from now seven to 25 percent by 2030.
E-car leasing advantages and disadvantages
Probably the biggest advantage of leasing e-cars is that there are no high one-off purchase costs. In addition, many leasing rates are often cheaper than loans. Leased e-cars also receive a furtherance the BAFA. This premium reduces the leasing rate. How much this funding is depends on the duration of the contract. If a contract is valid for at least 23 months, the e-car receives the full environmental bonus. So if you are aiming for a longer leasing contract anyway, there is no difference in funding when buying or leasing. They also don't have to worry about the loss of value of the car, as they can return it after the contract period anyway. And this also means that you don't have to resell your car. A particularly attractive advantage is that you have the opportunity to use the latest models, which is a real advantage given the rapid developments in the e-mobility sector. Leasing contracts often run for two to four years. You can then switch to a more recent model.
Unfortunately, leasing e-cars is also not entirely without disadvantages. The car is not their property, it belongs to the lessor. In addition, you have some obligations towards this. This includes regularly having to go to an inspection and to an authorized workshop. These appointments must be met. Since the e-car does not belong to you, many providers oblige lessees to take out comprehensive insurance. This is much more expensive than partial comprehensive insurance. If you notice before the end of the contract period that the e-car is not the right vehicle for you, it is often difficult to cancel the contract early. If you also lease your car by kilometers, make sure that the specified number is not exceeded, otherwise it can be expensive at the end of the term.