Electric car long-term rental: guide 2025

Long-term rental (LTR) integrates naturally with electric cars: it makes expenses predictable, reduces exposure to technological risk, and allows for vehicle upgrades at the end of the contract. This guide helps to understand how electric LTR works, how the fee is formed, what elements weigh on the TCO, and how to make informed choices for both individuals and companies.

Fundamentals of long-term rental for electric vehicles

Purchase, leasing, and rental are not equivalent. With purchase, one becomes the owner and manages depreciation; leasing introduces a fee with potential redemption; rental typically involves returning the vehicle at the end of the period and consolidates services and coverage into a single payment. A typical contract defines duration (usually between 24 and 60 months) and mileage, any advance payment, and a set of services that include insurance, maintenance, and assistance. Where necessary, options such as winter tires, replacement vehicles, telematics, or charging solutions are added.

How the fee is formed

The fee mainly depends on the value of the vehicle and its expected depreciation, duration, and contracted kilometers, as well as the scope of included services. For the same model, higher mileage or shorter duration tends to increase it. Delivery times, equipment, and the state of the used car market, as well as the presence of incentives directly reflected in the fee, also affect it. It is useful to consider potential charges in advance: excess mileage, restorations for abnormal wear, penalties for early termination, or return with damages.

TCO: total cost of ownership in electric LTR

The TCO of electric LTR sums fee, energy for charging, and ancillary costs (paid parking, tolls, fast charging on the road). The advantage arises when one has private charging at a competitive cost and drives regular mileage. Two practical metrics help to assess convenience: the cost per 100 km and the cost per "mission" (for example, a typical trip). Varying the mix between home/company and public charging can significantly shift the result, as can the use of DC charging compared to AC.

Energy and charging: where, how, how much

AC charging (3.7–22 kW) is ideal when the car is parked for a long time; DC covers trips with short stops but generally at higher costs. Private charging allows for scheduling times and power, taking advantage of the most convenient time slots and keeping the cost per km stable. In public, rates can be per kWh, per minute, or per session, with different conditions depending on the provider; apps and cards simplify access to multiple networks. Planning trips remains useful: real range, weather, and average speed affect consumption, but apps and onboard systems help accurately calculate necessary stops.

Private infrastructure: system and wallbox

Before installation, it is advisable to check the available contract power, electrical panel, and protections. In condominiums, the authorization process is generally straightforward if the intervention and responsibilities are documented correctly. Choosing the charging station requires a few crucial decisions: nominal power, dynamic load management, fixed cable or socket, connectivity, and authentication methods. A proper installation, with tests and periodic updates, ensures reliability; event logs and firmware updates improve safety and functions over time. Scheduling charges during convenient time slots and enabling load balancing prevents "overloading" the home system and reduces energy costs.

Photovoltaics and self-consumption

The combination of photovoltaic systems and AC charging during daylight hours promotes instantaneous self-consumption and reduces grid withdrawals. For example, a 3 kWp system can cover a significant part of slow charging during peak hours, while in the evening, grid supply remains necessary (unless there is dedicated storage). The economic impact depends on the degree of overlap between production and charging: the greater the hourly "matching," the lower the average cost of kWh and, consequently, the cost per kilometer.

Vehicle selection

The choice of model should follow actual use. In the city, a compact and efficient car reduces consumption and fees; for families and representation, crossovers and SUVs are preferred with attention to highway mileage; for fleets, range, fast charging, and availability are relevant. The effective battery capacity, efficiency at one's own driving rhythms, AC and DC charging power, and ADAS equipment matter. Delivery times and the expected residual value, finally, directly influence the fee and project feasibility.

Convenience for individuals and businesses

For individuals, electric LTR brings predictability: a payment that covers most of the management and controlled energy costs, especially if one has private charging. For professionals and SMEs, deductibility, VAT treatment, and the possibility of standardizing mobility costs come into play. In company fleets, telematics, energy tracking, KPIs such as TCO, uptime, and avoided emissions matter, in addition to clear charging policies (home, headquarters, public) and reimbursements.

Incentives, benefits, and taxation

Incentives can be incorporated into the fee, lowering the total cost or advance payment. Local benefits (such as partial exemptions from vehicle tax, access to restricted traffic zones, discounted parking where available) enhance the daily utility of the vehicle. On the tax front, the treatment of the fee and VAT depends on use and current regulations; assignment to employees requires attention to fringe benefits and internal policy.

Evaluation of offers and due diligence

Offers should be compared on equal terms: the same duration and mileage, similar scope of services, comparable insurance coverages. It is advisable to clarify excesses, the availability of replacement vehicles, and downtime in advance. Among the most delicate clauses are excess mileage and return rules, which define what falls within normal wear and what restorations may be requested. A simple checklist helps not to overlook important elements and to avoid "attractive" but incomplete fees.

Mini-checklist (essential):

• Realistic usage profile (km/year, typical routes).

• Hypothetical charging mix (private/public, AC/DC).

• Truly necessary services and coverage consistent with the risk.

• Three comparable quotes for data-driven decisions.

Risks, limits, and how to mitigate them

The first risk is operational: availability of charging points in condominiums or on regular routes. The second is economic: variability in energy prices and differences between public networks. It can be mitigated by planning charging during the most convenient times, adjusting contract power to domestic routines, and balancing home and public charging to contain the average cost per kilometer. For frequent travelers, discipline in DC stops and knowledge of the tariffs applied by the main networks makes a difference in the final TCO.

Sustainability and lifecycle

The environmental impact of an electric vehicle depends on the energy production mix and actual use. With predominantly domestic or business charging and, when possible, supported by photovoltaics, operational emissions drop significantly. Regarding batteries, second-life applications and recycling processes are expanding and help enhance the value of critical materials. For companies, availability of travel and energy data facilitates ESG reporting and transparent communication of results.

Exemplary use cases

An urban profile of 10,000 km/year benefits from private AC charging and a compact vehicle: predictable costs, minimal exposure to public rates. A mixed profile of 15,000 km/year alternates between home charging and some fast stops on the road: by planning stops and knowing the tariffs, a balanced TCO is maintained. The "sales" profile of 25,000–30,000 km/year requires discipline and infrastructure: scheduled nighttime charging and targeted DC stops allow for containing times and costs.

Frequently asked questions

Is the battery covered? In most cases, yes: terms from the manufacturer and rental company cover possible anomalies. However, it is advisable to read the clauses carefully.

Is the wallbox essential? It is not mandatory, but without private charging, costs and times depend significantly on public networks.

How do kilometers affect costs? With the same services, higher annual mileage or shorter contract duration tends to increase the fee.

How to manage reimbursements to employees? Clear policies and tools for reporting kWh are necessary, especially when charging occurs at home.

Conclusions and next steps

Electric LTR is a rational choice when mileage and charging habits are known, when private infrastructure is available or can be activated, and when the fee reflects useful services without unnecessary overheads. The recommended path is straightforward: define the usage profile, estimate energy costs in realistic scenarios, request three comparable quotes, check clauses and penalties, and evaluate installing a charging station to maximize savings. With these elements on the table, the decision will be informed and sustainable in the medium term.