Guide to Leasing an Electric Car

What is an electric car?

Also called electric vehicles (EVs), electric cars swap traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs) for electric motors. Instead of relying on petrol or diesel fuel, EVs use high-capacity batteries to store electrical energy. This energy is used to power the motor and propel the vehicle. EVs are emission-free which makes them an eco-friendly choice for motorists.

How do electric cars work?

EVs convert electrical energy from the battery into mechanical energy. This energy is used to turn the wheels and propel the car. EV batteries are rechargeable and typically use lithium-ion technology, though other battery types are also used. The range is determined by the size and capacity of the electric car batteries, as well as factors like the weight of the car.

Electric cars typically feature automatic gearboxes, which eliminate the need to manually shift gears and operate a clutch. This is because, unlike petrol-powered cars, EVs don’t have traditional mechanical gearboxes. Instead, the electric motor evenly distributes power to the wheels and actively adjusts transmission ratios. This maximises efficiency and ensures smooth acceleration.

Find out more in our guide to electric cars vs petrol to help you decide which is right for you.

Types of electric cars

There are three main types of electric cars – battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). We take a closer look at each type below:

What is a BEV?

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are powered entirely by electricity stored in high-capacity, rechargeable batteries. They don’t have internal combustion engines and use onboard batteries to power the electric motor.

What is a hybrid?

As the name suggests, hybrids combine multiple different power sources – a traditional internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Depending on the type of hybrid and driving conditions, the two power sources can work together or independently.

Find out more about the three different types of hybrid vehicles below or in our what is a hybrid guide:

Mild hybrid

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs) combine the benefits of a combustion engine and electric motor. They don’t offer any all-electric range, instead, the electric motor assists the combustion engine to improve fuel efficiency and boost acceleration.

Plug-in hybrid

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) can operate on either a combustion engine or an electric motor. Large, high-capacity electric car batteries are powerful enough to propel the vehicle at high speeds for up to 40 miles. When the battery is depleted PHEVs switch to ICE power. As the name suggests, PHEVs can be plugged into a power source to recharge the battery.

Full hybrid

Also called Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), full hybrids feature an internal combustion engine and electric motor. The electric motor is larger than in an MHEV but not as powerful as a PHEV. It can propel the car at low speeds for short distances, though the main goal is to assist the combustion engine. Instead of plugging the car in, HEVs use regenerative braking and power from the combustion engine to recharge the battery.

What's the range of an EV?

The range of electric cars varies significantly depending on the type of technology used and the make/model of the vehicle. Over the past few years advances in battery technology have continued to improve performance and offer motorists more range than ever. Here’s a glimpse of some of the longest range EVs currently available in the UK.

Mercedes EQS

With an impressive range of 452 miles, the Mercedes EQS sets a new standard for EVs.

Polestar 2

Sleek and stylish, the Polestar 2 offers a huge 406 miles of all-electric range on a single charge.

Tesla Model S

The all-electric range for the Tesla Model S sits just shy of 400 miles.

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 isn’t far behind with a range of up to 391 miles on a single charge.

Nissan Leaf

Small and zippy, the Nissan Leaf offers a range of up to 168 miles.

Mini Electric

Despite its compact size, the Mini Electric delivers almost 150 miles on a single charge. 

Benefits of electric cars

From reduced emissions to serious savings at the forecourt, electric car benefits are a huge incentive to switch to an EV.

Slash emissions

All-electric vehicles powered entirely by batteries have emissions-free driving. Hybrids still release emissions though thanks to the addition of electric motors, they’re generally more eco-friendly than fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Save at the forecourt

Invest in a BEV and you’ll eliminate trips to the forecourt altogether. Assistance from electric motors also means hybrids like PHEVs, HEVs and MHEVs offer fuel savings.

Government incentives

The UK government offers various incentives designed to promote the uptake of EVs and hybrids. This includes reduced road tax rates and exemptions from Ultra Low Emission and Congestion Charge zones.

Should I lease an electric car?

One of the main barriers to ownership of EVs is cost. The average cost of a new electric car in the UK is around £33,000 and increases to £50,000 for luxury and high-end models. Electric car leasing can be a great way to bridge the gap and enjoy the benefits of EV ownership without making an unmanageable financial commitment.

Benefits of electric car leasing include:

Spread out the cost of ownership

Electric car leasing slashes the upfront costs of investing in an EV. Down payments are lower and the cost of ownership is spread out over several years.

Access to newer models

EV technology is continually advancing and leasing allows you to enjoy the latest developments. Most leases are short-term, typically between two to five years. This means you can continually upgrade to a new EV when your lease expires.

Eliminate maintenance

Electric car leasing hands over the responsibility of maintenance to the company.

Process of leasing an electric car

1. Find your perfect car
2. Get a quote
3. Apply for finance
4. Place your order
5. Sign your documents
6. Take delivery and secure the keys

How to charge an electric car

If you own a BEV or PHEV you’ll need to have a charging system in place. Most EV owners consider the following options:

Home charger

Installing a dedicated EV charging point at your home is an easy and convenient solution. Government grants are often available to help offset the cost. Find out more about charging in our guide to installing a home charger.

Standard socket

It is possible to charge EVs using a standard domestic socket, though it’s a slower and less efficient option.

Public infrastructure

If home charging isn’t an option, using public charging infrastructure can be a good alternative. You’ll also

At-work charging

With the popularity of EVs increasing, many workforces are choosing to install chargers for their workers.

Find out more in our electric car charging guide.

Electric car maintenance

EVs don’t run on combustion engines which drastically reduces moving parts. Maintenance is simple but does require a specialised approach. Here are some things to keep in mind when maintaining an EV:

• Electric car battery health
• Tyre checks
• Brake pads
• Software updates
• Filters and fluids

One of the key benefits of leasing EVs is handing over maintenance responsibilities to the company.

Which electric car is right for me?

Here are some important things to consider when researching which electric car is right for you. Like traditional cars, consider the typical driving you do, the space you need and the type of car you’d like.

Think about the:

• Range
• Size
• Cost
• Type