Buying or leasing an electric car: how do you choose?

Location voiture électrique profession libérale

The electric vehicles are enjoying a real boom in the French car market, with 219,755 electric cars registered by 2022. This increase is due in particular to the numerous government subsidies such as the environmental bonus and the conversion premium making these vehicles more accessible.

As a self-employed professional, you will also be entitled to this financial assistance, which will significantly reduce the cost of the car, whether you opt for the electric car hire or for a purchase.

Before you start the purchasing process, it's important to know which financing method is best suited to your needs.

Table of contents

Find your future electric vehicle or charging point

BMW iX2 eDrive20

List price

46 990 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

453 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 478 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 8.6 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 30 minutes

Cupra Tavascan VZ

List price

46 990 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

602 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 517 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 5.6 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 28 min

VinFast VF 8 Plus Extended Range

List price

51 490 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

473 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 447 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 5.5 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

Mini Countryman E

List price

41 330 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

564 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 462 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 8.6 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 29 min

fiat e ducato profil

Fiat E-Ducato 79 kWh

List price

63 240 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

988 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 283 km

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 78 min

fiat e scudo profil

Fiat E-Scudo 50 kWh

List price

0 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

645 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 220 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 12.1 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 26 min

mercedes esprinter fourgon gris

Mercedes eSprinter Van 35 kWh

List price

75 972 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

655 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 153 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 11 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 26 min

citroen e berlingo van 3/4

Citroën ë-Berlingo Van 50 kWh

List price

40 440 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

599 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 275 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 9.7 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 26 min

Hyundai Inster Standard Range

List price

25 000 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

298 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 300 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 11.7 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 29 min

Opel Frontera 44 kWh

List price

29 000 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

491 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 305 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 12.1 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

Alpine A290 Electric 180 hp

List price

38 700 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

630 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 380 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 7.4 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 33 min

Fiat Grande Panda 44 kWh

List price

24 900 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

430 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 320 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 12 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

BMW i5 Touring eDrive40

List price

0 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

890 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 560 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 6.1 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 26 min

Tesla Model 3 Long Range Powertrain

List price

44 990 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

587 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 702 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 5.3 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 20 min

Mercedes EQE 300

List price

69 900 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

0 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 647 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 7.3 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 33 min

BMW i4 eDrive35

List price

57 550 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

607 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 483 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 6 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

Renault 4 E-Tech 40kWh 120hp

List price

29 990 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

448 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 322 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 9.2 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 32 min

Citroën ë-C4 54 kWh

List price

35 800 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

0 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 415 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 10 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 29 min

Volvo EX30 Single Motor ER

List price

43 300 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

436 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 480 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 5.3 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 28 min

Volkswagen iD.3 Pro S

List price

42 990 €

(excluding bonuses)

Lease from

0 €

Per month, with no deposit for professionals

Range (WLTP) : 549 km

Acceleration (0 to 100 km/h): 7.9 sec

Fast charge (from 20 to 80%) : 30 minutes

The different options for leasing an electric car: LMD, LLD and LOA

Switch to electric car is an important decision when looking for a new vehicle. Leasing is a less binding alternative than buying. But there are a number of advantages and disadvantages to renting an electric car.

There are several rental options:

  • medium-term rental (LMD) :
    • 1 to 24 months
    • renewable
    • makes it possible to change vehicles frequently to keep pace with developments in the technologies available for electric cars.

 

  • long-term leasing (LLD) :
    • 24 months to 72 months
    • allows you to have a new vehicle at all times, paying only for the use you make of it
    • flexible contract (duration, mileage, services, etc.)

 

  • lease with purchase option (LOA) / leasing
    • 24 to 72 months
    • possibility of purchase at the end of the lease (price defined when the contract is signed)
    • flexible contract (duration, mileage, services, etc.)


Read also : Should you buy your electric car on a leasing or hire purchase basis?

Are you a self-employed professional?
Take advantage of our leasing offers for electric cars

The advantages of hiring an electric car for the self-employed

Tax benefits

The electric car allows professionals to write off two to three times more than with a combustion car. When you lease an electric car, the non-deductible amortisation (NDA) will be much lower. So you can write off almost all your lease payments on your profit and loss account.

You'll also have heard of vehicle use tax (formerly known as TVS). With an electric car, you're exempt because you're emitting less than 60 g/km of CO2.

However, you should be aware that in 2023, this will be replaced by two new taxes, the annual tax on CO2 emissions and annual tax on emissions of atmospheric pollutants. If you own an electric vehicle, you will therefore be exempt from these two taxes.


Read also : Electric leased vehicles: what are the advantages for SMEs and VSEs?

Simplified procedures

When you lease an electric vehicle, this is advantageous because it simplifies the process, as you won't have to deal with any administrative formalities relating to insurance or maintenance. In fact, your monthly payments include :

  • insurance
  • maintenance
  • repairs to your electric car
  • assistance


This also reduces your costs, as you can you won't have to take out insurance or pay maintenance costs.

State aid: ecological bonus and conversion allowance

Le environmental bonus 2023 is a government grant of 3 000 € for professionals on the lease or purchase of a vehicle for less than €47,000to help them make the transition to cleaner vehicles.

 

Let's take the example of a MG4 in professional LLD with a 48-month, 10,000 km contract, plus the environmental bonus :

LLD (without ecological bonus) = €520.12

Ecological bonus for professionals = €3,000 / 48 months = €62.50

LLD (with ecological bonus) = €520.12 - €62.50 = €457.62


The government has also introduced a scheme called the conversion premium. This aid will reward drivers who agree to destroy their old polluting vehicle and switch to an electric or rechargeable hybrid vehicle. It is possible to receive €2,500 for a legal entity. If you live in a EPZ (low-emission zones such as Paris, Lyon and Marseille), aid will be increased by €1,000for a total of €3,500.

Enjoy a modern electric vehicle

As stated above, leasing an electric car, whether as a long-term or leased vehicle, allows you to change vehicles frequently. So, at the end of each contract, you can opt for a new electric vehicle that has recently appeared on the market, taking advantage of new technologies.

Install a charging point with your professionally leased car

The disadvantages of hiring an electric car for the self-employed

Limited mileage

Your lease contract is defined by a number of months, i.e. the duration of your lease, but also by the number of kilometres you will cover each month. The number of kilometres can be, for example, 10,000 km, 15,000 km or even 30,000 km if you use the car frequently for travel.


In the case of liberal professionalsFor example, if you are a nurse or a salesperson, it is advisable to choose a high mileage, so that you don't have to pay overrun charges. Your mileage can be increased or reduced in the middle of the contract.

Cancellation fees

You're not a homeowner. You suspect that, by hiring an electric carHowever, you will not have full control over it. As you are hired for a fixed term, you do not have the possibility of terminate your contract before the end without incurring additional costs.

 

Take the example of Kia Niro EVWith a 48-month leasing contract at €490, here are the cancellation charges according to the period of your contract:

  • first half of the contract: 490 × 10 months = €1,000,000 4 900 €
  • second half of the contract: 490 × 6 months = €490 2 940 €
  • last year: 490 × 3 months = 1 470 €
  • the last three months: 490 × 1 month = 1 month 490 €
  • last month : 0,00 €

Repair costs

Beware of any scratches or damage to the rims, bodywork or bumper of your electric vehicle, which will incur repair costs. The amount of these costs will depend on the model of your electric car and your dealer. You can discuss this when you sign your contract with your hire company.

The advantages of buying an electric car for the self-employed

We'll now look at the advantages of buying an electric car.

No debt

If you opt for a cash purchase, you won't be in debt to a third party and you won't have to pay any interest to a lending institution, such as your bank. If you buy an electric car on credit, the main benefit is that your monthly payments are fixed, as with a long-term leasing contract and your budget is under control.

Unlimited mileage

Unlike the LMD, LLD or LOAYou'll have no restrictions on your monthly mileage. A very interesting advantage as a self-employed professional, because you won't have any overrun charges.

Tax benefits

As with leasing, you will be exempt from the two new taxes replacing the Vehicle Use Tax (VUC). So you won't have to pay anything for the annual tax on CO2 emissions or the annual tax on emissions of atmospheric pollutants.

What's more, when you buy an electric car, you'll be exempt from tax on vehicle registration document except if your home is in the Centre Val de Loire or Brittany regions.

Electric cars can be written off up to €30,000. You can also write off your battery entirely. However, you will need to request a separate invoice for your car and your battery in order to benefit.

If your profession requires you to drive a commercial vehicle, you should know that by switching to electric power, the VAT on your vehicle is 100 % deductible.


Read also : Buying an electric commercial vehicle in 2023: what you need to know

The disadvantages of buying an electric car in cash for the self-employed

It is important to stress that these disadvantages do not apply in all cases. Depending on the financial situation of each professional, cash purchase can be more or less advantageous. So it's important to assess your financial situation carefully before making a decision to buy.

Professionals can also consider other financing options such as long-term rental (LLD), which can enable them to retain their liquidity while obtaining the use of an electric vehicle.

Affects cash flow

Firstly, a cash purchase involves a high initial cost, so it can be difficult for self-employed professionals with high financial burdens. The cost of an electric car, which can be higher than that of a traditional car, can therefore represent a major investment affecting your cash flow. What's more, if you want to buy an electric van, you'll need to advance VAT of 20 % which will be refunded to you after purchase.

On the other hand, self-employed people may need to use their savings to finance future business projects or meet unexpected expenses. By paying cash for an electric car, you risk reducing your ability to meet these expenses and may be forced to dip into your savings to finance other projects.

Depreciation of your electric car

Finally, the electric cars are subject to rapid depreciation, just like petrol or diesel cars. By paying cash for an electric car, professionals risk losing a large part of their initial investment if they decide to sell the car after a few years.

This loss of value can be difficult to bear for professionals who have made a major investment. In addition, there is the risk of the vehicle becoming obsolete, with a autonomy and less advanced technology than the new electric cars on the market.

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The disadvantages of buying an electric car on credit for the self-employed

Paying interest

When you finance buying an electric car on creditIf you decide to take out a loan, you will have to pay interest on top of the amount borrowed. This interest can represent a significant sum, which increases the total cost of the car. Liberal professionals who choose this option should therefore be aware that the total cost of the car will be higher than if they had paid cash.

Pay additional costs

On the other hand, in addition to interest, lenders may charge other fees such as :

  • administration fees,
  • processing costs,
  • charges for early repayment of the loan.

These costs can also represent a significant sum, and liberal professionals need to be aware of all the costs associated with the loan before making a decision.

Depreciation of electric vehicles

As with cash purchases, owning an electric car carries the risk of obsolescence.

Leasing or buying an electric car: how do you know what the long-term cost will be?

The TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) is an indicator that compares the total cost of ownership between different types of vehicle, in particular between electric and combustion-powered cars.

The TCO for a lease takes into account :

  • the rent or purchase price
  • maintenance and tyre costs
  • insurance costs
  • parking
  • TVS
  • the bonus or ecologic malus 
  • fuel or refuelling costs
  • depreciation

In general, electric cars have a lower TCO than combustion cars because of their fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs. As a self-employed professional looking to purchase a vehicle, you need to consider TCO when comparing the cost of ownership between electric and combustion-powered cars so that you can make an informed decision based on your budget and needs.


Let's take the example of a TCO calculation between the Renault Megane e-Tech and its thermal equivalent, over five years.

Voiture électrique Voiture thermique
Car model
Renault Megane e-Tech
Renault Megane
Purchase cost
37 200 €
29 300 €
Government grants* (in French)
(Ecological bonus, premium
to conversion)
6 500 €
0,00 €
Insurance cost / year
840 € × 5 = 4 200 €
840 € × 5 = 4 200 €
Maintenance cost / year
720 € × 5 = 3 600 €
1 080 € × 5 = 5 400 €
Cost of a terminal
1 200 €
0 €
Parking / year
0 €
720 € × 5 = 3 600 €
TVS / year
0 €
290 € × 5 = 1 450 €
Consumption and cost of
fuel for 30,000 km
816 € × 5 = 4 080 €
3 600 € × 5 = 18 000 €
TCO
40 180 €**
61 950 €**

* More help is available depending on your region.

** You can write off €30,000 for an electric car and €18,000 for a combustion car.

 

We can therefore see that an electric car costs €21,770 less to buy over a five-year period. The difference will be more obvious with a lease.

You can obtain a more developed TCO by contacting one of our experts.

How can I compare rental and purchase offers to find the best deal?

Beev wants to bring about a real change in the music industry. electric car by providing multi-brand offers to help liberal professionals and facilitating their purchasing process to find the electric car that best suits their needs. Liberal professionals can access a wide selection of electric car models, making it easy for them to find the model that best meets their needs in terms of range, charging capacity and cost.

What's more, our electric car experts will be with you every step of the way, from research to test drive and financing. By analysing your situation, we'll advise you not only on vehicles, but also on which financing method is best suited to your needs. With Beev, you can rest assured that you'll find the car that's right for you. electric car and benefit from expert advice and quality service.

In conclusion

In conclusion, for self-employed professionals, buying an electric car is an attractive option from a tax point of view. However, some prefer to lease rather than buy. Leasing offers the advantage of being able to change vehicles regularly, with insurance, maintenance and repairs covered by the monthly rental payments.

The financial advantages include no large down payment on the first monthly instalment and exemption from vehicle use tax. However, the disadvantages include the limited number of kilometres per year and the fact that you do not own the vehicle.

Ultimately, the decision between buying and leasing will depend on your priorities as a self-employed professional and your preferences in terms of budget, consumption and comfort.

Picture of Ilona Soulage
Ilona Soulage

Let's explore the world of electric vehicles and charging points together. Passionate about new things, I'll help you make the ecological transition.

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