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General leasing questions

Find answers to general electric vehicle leasing questions

All questions

Are the electric vehicles all new?

We always ensure that we are really clear whether the electric vehicle is new or used. The majority of vehicles we supply are new, however, to meet customer demand we do offer high-quality used electric vehicles too.

If you see a vehicle tagged as 'pre-registered' this means our suppliers has already registered the vehicle.

Can I add options to the vehicles?

Some of the electric vehicles on our website are for pre-ordered vehicles, which means that the options may already be pre-selected.

However, you can also build your own EV from scratch, selecting whichever colour and options you wish! Please note, this may alter the price and lead time on the vehicle.

What is the initial rental payment?

The ‘initial rental’ payment is your first month's rental and it is typically higher than your monthly rentals.

An initial payment is different from a ‘deposit’ as it is a payment towards your lease cost. Often displayed as 1,3, 6, 9, or 12 months, it can also be a specific amount depending on your requirements. The more you pay upfront, the less you pay per month, but the overall cost remains the same.

You can use our online calculator when quoting via our website, to see how the initial rental impacts the monthly rental. 

What if I don't know my annual milage?

Very few of us have an exact idea of how many miles we will be driving each year. Of course, your personal circumstances can change from year to year, but we always recommend looking back at previous service or MOT documentation to give you the best guess.

The lease cost is dependent on the number of annual miles you state on your agreement.

Should you find yourself mid-way through your agreement and exceeding the contractual mileage, it’s worth noting that in some circumstances we can make every effort to have your contract re-evaluated. This is a non-guaranteed service.

Please note, if you do exceed the total contract mileage, you will be required to pay an excess mileage fee for every mile over your allowance. Excess mileage fees do vary, your vehicle lease contract will include the excess mileage figure applicable.

To request a quote to amend your mileage, submit a request via our contact form and one of our Customer Experience Advisors will be in touch within 24 hours (Monday to Friday).

What happens if the vehicle needs to be repaired?

In the event of an accident, you need to get in touch with your insurance company.

We don’t currently offer insurance with any of our lease vehicles. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure the vehicle remains fully insured throughout the duration of the contract.

If you are unfortunate enough to have your vehicle stolen or written off, there may be a shortfall between the value of the vehicle and the outstanding finance amount. In these circumstances, optional GAP insurance would cover the difference and would allow you to replace the vehicle without the burden of any shortfall.

For smaller repairs, such as scuffs and dents, you can organise your own repairs, however it must be to manufacturer-approved standards.

What happens at the end of my vehicle lease agreement?

There are various options that you have at the end of your lease agreement, including choosing a brand new EV! Our teams of experts will be more than happy to discuss the best options for you, whether it be getting a new vehicle arranged, sorting an extension of your current vehicle, or arranging collection and termination of your current agreement. 

If you would like us to call you to discuss your options, please use our Contact form and a member of our team will be in touch right away! 

Alternatively, if you would like a specific 10 minute slot in the coming weeks for us to discuss your options with you, please get in touch with our one our EV experts.

What do i do when my vehicle needs a service/tyres/MOT?

Vehicles under 3 years old do not require an MOT.

We offer the option to include a maintenance package with all our lease vehicles. If you choose to include this, the cost of servicing, MOTs and replacement tyres (excluding sidewall damage) is covered.

For more information on arranging any of these services, please see our maintenance page.

If you choose not to include maintenance, you are responsible for arranging and paying for the maintenance of your lease vehicle. Your vehicle can be serviced at any of the manufacturer’s approved garages. Most main dealers will offer a courtesy vehicle whilst yours is being serviced or repaired.

I receive jobseeker's allowance/ benefits, can I still lease a vehicle?

As a finance provider, we need to lend responsibly so we only lease to people or organisations that can show proof of income. If you can show us that you have a regular and permanent cash flow, we can help.

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer lease vehicles to individuals on jobseeker's allowance or benefits.

I have only just passed my driving test, can I still lease a vehicle?

Yes, as long as you have a valid full UK driving licence and you meet the credit requirements.

 

Who is the registered owner/ keeper?

Does insurance come with a lease vehicle?

No, insurance is not included in the lease offer price. It is the driver's responsibility to keep the vehicle insured for the duration of the lease.

By law we are not allowed to recommend an insurance company, so we would suggest using comparison sites to find your insurance provider. You don’t need a vehicle registration number to be able to get an insurance quote so there is nothing to stop you from shopping around.

Does DriveElectric take part exchange?

Unfortunately, as a credit broker, we are unable to facilitate a part exchange.

Do I need to tax the vehicle?

No, you don't need to tax the vehicle.

The funder is the owner and registered keeper of the vehicle, they are responsible for taxing the vehicle on your behalf.

Can I choose the vehicle colour?

Some of the offers on our website are for pre-ordered vehicles, which means that the colour options may be limited.

However, you can also build your own EV from scratch, choosing your preferred colour. Please note, this may alter the price and lead time on the vehicle.

Can I change the vehicle during the lease?

You will not be able to change your vehicle part way through the lease.

You can request an early settlement quote to terminate the lease prior to the end of the agreement, but it can be expensive to do so.

If you are interested in obtaining an early termination quote for your lease, please submit a request via our contact form and a member of our Customer Experience Team will be in touch within 24 hours (Monday to Friday). 

Can i arrange a test drive?

We don’t have a forecourt; we provide new cars sourced directly from vehicle manufacturers.

We do recommend that you take a test drive to get a feel of the vehicle you are interested in. We work closely with local manufacturer dealerships around the country and are happy to help you arrange a test drive.

For more information on EV test drives please contact us on 01628 899 727.

How does a lease agreement work?

When you have a Personal or Business Contract Hire lease agreement on a car or van, you lease the vehicle for an agreed period. This is known as a ‘lease period’. Even though the car is in your possession, you do not own it.

The way a car lease agreement is worked out is pretty straightforward:

  1. We work out what the value of the vehicle will be by the end of your contract, taking depreciation into account.
  2. You set a mileage limit that will best suit your driving needs. (This can be reviewed throughout the lease period, and we make it easy for you to increase the mileage in your contract to something more appropriate if necessary.)
  3. Our team constantly updates our pricing to ensure you are offered the best EV leasing deals on the market.
  4. The electric vehicle lease quote can be personalised to suit your budget requirements – generally, the more you pay upfront, the less your monthly rentals will be.
  5. You make fixed monthly rentals for the period that your contract runs. Once the contract ends, you simply return the vehicle to us and look at which car you want to drive next.

Do I own the car/van at the end of the leasing agreement?

With personal leasing / contract hire agreements (PCH) the vehicle needs to be returned at the end of the lease agreement.

Do you deliver electric vehicles nationwide?

Yes, although we are based in Marlow, we offer electric car and van lease deals all over the UK, excluding Northern Ireland. With the exception of Tesla, your electric vehicle will be delivered to your door no matter where you are in the UK.

Tesla deliveries will be arranged with you, the customer, directly. Tesla may offer delivery, but often do require you to collect the vehicles.

Given that we are very passionate about the environment, we do drive our deliveries where possible to avoid the use of diesel transporters.

What does factory order mean?

It means that the electric vehicle has not been built and needs to be manufactured. It will mean that it takes longer to be delivered but allows you to build your vehicle to your specification.

Still need help?

Explore our comprehensive FAQs or contact us directly, we’re on hand to support you throughout your electric journey.