Clean driving: Most people now have a desire to improve their personal environmental footprint. As a result, the market share of electric vehicles is also growing. More and more manufacturers are offering electric or alternative drive technologies and driving forward innovations in this field. Unlike a conventional petrol vehicle, an electric car has an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery and a traction battery. This means that electric cars do not produce any direct emissions while driving. The following rule applies: The cleaner the generation of the operating current, the faster electrically powered vehicles can expand their CO₂advantage.

Less noise pollution: Road traffic remains a major noise source in Germany. The engine noise of electric cars is significantly lower and plays a crucial role in reducing road noise. To ensure that safety on the road is still maintained, all new cars with electric drive in the EU have been equipped with the AVAS – Acoustic Vehicle System – since 1 July 2021. When driving off and until a speed of 20 km/h is reached, as well as when reversing, an artificial sound is emitted so that pedestrians and cyclists are aware of the vehicle.

Environmental bonus: The German Federal Government plans to bring at least 15 million all-electric cars onto Germany’s roads by 2030. The EU’s goal is that there should be no new registrations for combustion-engine vehicles from 2035. We are already in the middle of the mobility revolution: according to Statista, there were already more than one million purely electric cars on German roads at the beginning of April 2023. At the end of 2021, the figure was 618,460.

The targets set are actively supported by the German Federal Government with an environmental bonus.

The BAFA environmental bonus was last amended on 01.01.2023 and, as a result, eligible vehicles on the BAFA (Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control) list are currently supported in combination with a state share and a manufacturer share with up to EUR 6,750 (environmental bonus including innovation bonus and manufacturer share).

This also applies to vehicle leasing. In this case, part of the subsidy is provided or settled by the manufacturer and part by the BAFA – EUR 4,500, provided that the net list price of the battery-electric or fuel cell vehicle does not exceed EUR 40,000, or EUR 3,000 for a net list price of more than EUR 40,000, but less than EUR 65,000. The prerequisite for this is that all requirements are met, for example, the listing on the part of the BAFA and the lease term. The amount is then paid out to the lessee or included as a special payment in the contract, resulting in a reduction of the leasing instalment.

It is important to note that the BAFA premium for private customers will be reduced further from 01.01.2024.
For commercial customers, the subsidy will be completely discontinued from 01.09.2023.

Low-cost maintenance and GHG quota: An electrically powered vehicle has fewer parts that are prone to repair, which means reduced maintenance and repairs. There are further cost savings with regard to motor vehicle tax, which electric vehicles are exempt from until 31.12.2030.

Since the start of 2022, owners of an all-electric car and thus also lessees are entitled to apply for a GHG quota, which means a payout of between EUR 280 and EUR 350. The application can be made per vehicle and per year.

State-of-the-art technology: Manufacturers and politicians are investing billions to advance the development of electric cars and the expansion of the charging infrastructure. In addition to the further development of batteries, assistance and entertainment systems in modern vehicles are usually also state-of-the-art. More comfort and innovative technologies increase enjoyment when driving.

Special rights: Electric vehicles are given an “e-licence plate”, which enables free parking in certain cities, for example. In some places, driving in bus lanes is also permitted.

When purchasing a new vehicle today, the question inevitably arises as to whether an electric vehicle or a vehicle with combustion engine is the right choice. For those who are still unsure whether an electric vehicle is the right mobility solution, vehicle leasing offers a flexible solution for becoming familiar with modern drive technology. 

Leasing makes it possible to drive a modern electric car without high purchase costs and without the risk of loss of value. In addition to these factors, there are a number of other reasons why it can be a good idea to lease an electric vehicle. 

In addition to the choice of brand and model, the question of the type of financing arises when purchasing a vehicle. Leasing offers an alternative to cash purchase or conventional credit financing. There is no need to pay a high purchase price and the fixed instalments enable optimal planning. Thanks to flexible and time-limited terms, the lessee is always on the road with the latest models. At the end of the contract period, the vehicle is simply returned. There is no effort required to sell the vehicle and there is no risk of excessive loss of value, as the residual value risk is borne by the lessor.

One of the leading providers of manufacturer-independent leasing is ALD Automotive. With more than 50 years of experience, the company is now represented in 43 countries worldwide. A leasing contract can easily be concluded online. Optional services are offered for the vehicle – such as the technical service.