Our advice on choosing the right electric vehicle.

Leasing with a purchase option is a solution that allows you to lease an electric vehicle for a period of time, with the option of buying the vehicle at the end of the contract. Lease terms vary from 2 to 5 years. During the pre-defined period with the electric vehicle lessor, you pay monthly installments. At the end of this period, you have two choices: buy the vehicle or return it.

The LOA option offers several advantages:

You'll be able to test-drive the vehicle for several months, with the option of buying it back or cancelling before the end of the contract; maintenance is very often included in the contract, simplifying management and reducing unforeseen costs.

It's important to note that a lease with option to purchase (LOA) is similar to a consumer credit. It is therefore possible to withdraw from the contract up to 14 days after signing.

Long-term leasing involves paying a monthly rental fee for an electric vehicle over a specified period. This period can vary from 2 to 5 years. Unlike the LOA, the LLD does not allow you to buy back the vehicle at the end of the lease. Leasing focuses solely on making the vehicle available to you, with associated services such as vehicle maintenance (technical inspections, oil changes, vehicle servicing, replacement of damaged parts, etc.). In some cases, when defining the contract, you may be asked to set a maximum annual mileage. Be sure to estimate your needs carefully to avoid additional costs.

One of the main advantages of long-term leasing is its ability to keep your expenses under control, as you pay the same monthly rental fee for the entire duration of your electric vehicle lease. What's more, long-term leasing allows you to benefit from a brand-new vehicle.

However, at the end of your leasing contract, you won't have the option of buying the vehicle. As mentioned above, you have to commit to a certain number of kilometers, or you risk incurring additional charges.

• You're a regular driver: if you drive 10,000 km or more, it's more advantageous for you to opt for a leased electric vehicle, since maintenance is included in your lease contract. If you don't drive much, you won't be able to take advantage of its benefits. What's more, if you drive a lot, there's no advantage in buying the vehicle back at the end, as its residual value will be very low. Finally, if you're a heavy driver, there's no advantage in buying back the vehicle at the end, as its residual value will be very low.

• You're not a regular driver: if this is your case, it's preferable to opt for a LOA. Although you'll be responsible for the vehicle's maintenance, your expenses will be limited. If, at the end of your lease, you decide to buy the vehicle, you'll be able to keep it or resell it more easily, since its fuel consumption will be very low.
   

A third choice for acquiring an electric vehicle is to buy a used one. It's important to know that electric car prices have been rising in recent years. What's more, it's worth noting that a used electric car over 8 years old and still using its original batteries is losing value and efficiency.
 

As a reminder, the French government has set up bonuses and grants to help you buy your future electric vehicle. See the article "How do I find my way around the range of grants available for buying an electric vehicle?" to find out everything you need to know about the aid available to you.

Before you decide to buy a used electric vehicle, remember to ask yourself what your objective is with your used electric car? Just commuting? Sometimes medium and/or long-distance journeys? A single car or the main one? These requirements in terms of needs and independence will then limit the variety of models that can meet your expectations.
 

The fourth and final option is to buy a new electric vehicle. Buying a new electric vehicle means being the first owner of the vehicle, which has many advantages and disadvantages.

Buying a new electric vehicle will give you the opportunity to benefit from the very latest innovations in terms of energy efficiency and safety. Like all new cars, new electric vehicles are covered by a manufacturer's warranty, which generally ranges from 2 to 8 years. This gives you protection against manufacturing defects and major breakdowns.

Apart from the initial cost, which can be high, the value of a new vehicle decreases rapidly, especially in the first few years.

You can also take advantage of government financial aid for the purchase of your electric vehicle. Find out more here.