How to Try and Buy an Electric Car Online

Whether for a business, holiday trip or just to test out the water, renting is the simplest way to experience owning an electric vehicle.

Driver’s can explore how to charge an EV at home or use a public charging providers, testing the driving range on the chosen electric model and, of course, being enamoured by the instant torque and acceleration of electric motors.

A range of conventional and community-driven car sharing rental companies offer electric car models, including the MG ZS EV, Polestar 2, Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and more.

Fortunately, most of these rental fleet examples will eventually filter into the used EV market in several years to lower the cost barrier into zero emissions ownership.

EV Rental Services in Australia

Image by - Henry Man

An electric car subscription is a step towards owning one, but with the flexibility to switch models or cancel once the contract plan ends.

It is an emerging option that bundles registration, comprehensive insurance, and maintenance costs in one weekly payment under a fixed term or no-lock-in contract – just like a cellular smartphone plan.

Unlike leasing a car (like through a novated company lease), there are no balloon payments, interest and depreciation values to contend with. However, there may be a set maximum driving distance quota per year.

Electric car models range from the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Kona Electric, Mazda MX-30 Electric and more.

EV Subscription Services in Australia

Ready to buy an EV? There are a diverse range of electric cars available now and landing soon.

But in today’s supply-constrained market encouraging dealer markups, several car brands have adopted a fixed price agency model where the drive-away cost of a vehicle is guaranteed and the same for all buyers.

Additionally, they can be completely specced and transacted online without the need to step into a showroom and haggle with a salesperson. Though, picking up the vehicle will likely require heading into a dealership.

Car brands that adopt an online-only, fixed pricing model include: Tesla; Polestar; BYD; Cupra; Hyundai (Ioniq 5 only); Genesis; Mercedes-Benz and more.

There are also other online car brokers who can secure an electric car for you, sometimes negotiate on a deal, and organise finance and trade-ins if needed.

EV Online Dealerships in Australia