Did you know that fuel prices in the US from January to June of 2022 rose 49%? If you work with a ridesharing company or simply have a long commute to your workplace, shifting to an electric vehicle or EV might seem like a good idea in this situation.
But however attractive the prospect, driving an EV comes with challenges, which can be daunting considering the investment required to purchase one.
What if we told you that you could drive an EV on a subscription basis without worrying about long-term commitment using Autonomy?
Excited? Read this Autonomy review for details.
What is Autonomy?
For those unfamiliar with this platform, Autonomy is a simple car subscription service that works online. By signing up for their services, you can drive a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y without worrying about long-term debt or external costs.
The subscription model works like a lease but is flexible enough to get you accustomed to an EV before you consider owning one.
Autonomy was founded by Scott Painter, who pioneered the concept of cars-as-a-service and has successful platforms such as TrueCar and Fair under his belt.
Currently operating in California, Florida, Texas, and Washington, the Autonomy car subscription service lets you get a Tesla subscription on your phone within minutes from the comfort of your home.
If you’re an EV enthusiast previously intimidated by their prices and maintenance costs, this deal must sound too good to be true. But don’t worry; we’ve mapped out everything you need to know in this Autonomy review so you can decide whether to use it on your ridesharing journey.
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How Does Autonomy Work?
We know what you’re thinking. It seems skeptical when a platform would hand out Teslas without having you sign a hundred-page contract first.
But, surprising as it might seem, an Autonomy car subscription works just like a lease minus the troublesome parts.
- First, you don’t have to get into long-term debt or commitment if you want to upgrade to an EV. All you have to be ready for is a 3-month minimum subscription period. After that, you can extend your monthly subscription and drive your electric car for as long as possible.
- Second, you’re not paying off a loan when you pay for an Autonomy Tesla subscription. Instead, you can pay the fee through your credit card and even choose from ten different payment plans available on the platform.
- Most importantly, you’re paying for a list of other attractive services by paying the monthly subscription. These include essential services like maintenance, roadside assistance, and tire replacement. Together this package makes your transition to driving an EV smooth and hassle-free.
However, you will have to register and pay for any insurance service out of pocket. In addition, the subscription amount does not include any insurance plans for the EV as long as you drive it.
Autonomy is an EV rental service, but you won't be able to use this car to drive for Uber or Lyft. You could potentially use it for delivery, however, but you'll want to confirm when you go through the rental process.
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How to Sign Up for Autonomy
This is the best part of the Autonomy app, as it’s super easy to sign up. Its sign-up process is entirely operated through the Autonomy iOS app so that you can complete your subscription in a few clicks on your phone.
- Download the iOS App: Start by downloading the iOS app on your device. Once you open the app, its intuitive interface will guide you toward your ID verification and let you upload essential documents, including your driving license.
- Choose Your Payment Plan: After that, you can choose the payment plan and specify the Tesla model of your choice.
- Sign Your Contract: Finally, you will receive an official contract on your phone, which you can sign digitally and upload on the app.
And that’s it. The platform will review your application and send an approval notice within minutes. Then, you can schedule a delivery or pick-up from your phone and start driving your Tesla immediately.
However, there are some limitations to the service as well.
For example, their app only works on iOS, and the service is currently limited to California, Florida, Texas, and Washington. So, before you finalize the decision to get a Tesla subscription from the platform, check out the details below to get further insight.
Key Features of Autonomy
Even though you’re not signing a long-term contract or getting into years of debt, you’re still parting with a considerable amount of money by subscribing to Autonomy.
That’s why knowing all the deal’s aspects is vital before signing a contract.
Here’s an overview of the main features of Autonomy so you can make an informed decision.
1. Minimum 3-Month Subscription
The prospect of driving a Tesla without getting into a permanent commitment makes Autonomy attractive to most users. But how exactly does the Tesla subscription work?
By completing an Autonomy subscription, as mentioned above, you can start driving a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y quickly. You will have to sign a contract for a minimum of three months, after which you can eliminate it and return the EV if you want.
On the other hand, if you choose to extend the contract, you’ll have to provide a notice on the app at least 28 days before it expires. This way, you can continue driving your EV for as long as you like.
Apart from car insurance, the subscription amount includes other services that will make your transition to driving an EV quite effortless.
2. Subscription Perks
Owning your own vehicle can come with unexpected expenses. Luckily, Autonomy has carefully curated its Tesla subscription system so you can drive your EV concern-free. Apart from driving the car as your own, the fee includes several other services that’ll provide an effortless experience.
The platform offers a limited warranty period with your Tesla subscription and lets you drive the vehicle for a maximum of 1000 miles per month. Besides that, you can pay your fee digitally, so you don’t have to worry about conducting any formalities for clearing your dues every month.
Additionally, with your Autonomy car subscription, you’ll get routine maintenance and basic repairs covered in your monthly fee.
Similarly, getting accustomed to an EV can take time and effort. That’s why your Autonomy fee will also cover the costs for any roadside assistance you need during your subscription period.
Fees
Now for the ultimate question, how much will an Autonomy tesla car subscription cost you? Believe it or not, Autonomy has created a fantastic subscription fee system that can fit your budget needs efficiently.
Depending on whether you choose a Tesla Model 3 or a Tesla Model Y, you can create a customized subscription fee plan for yourself.
The fee is divided into a start fee and a monthly subscription fee.
- Start Fee: The start fee is a cap or cost reduction fee that lets you lower your monthly payment. For example, the basic start fee for a Tesla Model 3 is $5,900, with a subscription fee of $490 per month.
- Monthly Fees: On the other hand, if you choose to pay a $1,000 start fee, you’ll have to part with a $1,000 subscription fee every month.
You can customize this payment plan according to your needs by increasing or decreasing the start fee. This will change the monthly payable amount so you can pay according to your comfort.
Additionally, the same system goes for the Tesla Model Y. The minimum start fee for this model is $7,900, with a subscription fee of $690 per month. Meanwhile, you can lower the start fee to $1000, increasing your monthly subscription fee to $1,350.
Additional Charges
If the above fee seems like an affordable deal for you, you shouldn’t jump to conclusions. There are a few additional charges you’ll have to pay to enjoy driving an EV without any strings attached.
- Taxes: Mainly, the fee structure mapped out on their website does not include taxes. This means you’ll have to pay the current taxation dues on your EV with your start fee.
- Security Deposit: Besides that, you will also have to pay a $500 security deposit upon registration. This amount is refundable but will be kept by the company if you inflict severe damage to the car during your subscription period.
- Insurance: Moreover, if you choose to get your EV insured through the platform, Autonomy will charge you on behalf of a third-party insurance company. So, you will also have to pay this add-on policy upon registration.
- Extra Mileage Fees: Most importantly, Autonomy sets a driving limit of 1000 miles per month for their Tesla subscribers. So if you exhaust your miles and want to drive further during the month, you will have to pay $0.25 for every extra mile.
This is another reason why you won’t drive an Autonomy vehicle for rideshare – the mileage limit alone would be maxed out quickly.
Pros and Cons
Now that you know about Autonomy car subscriptions, you’re probably ready to switch to an EV!
The benefits of an Autonomy car subscription might seem attractive, but you should also evaluate its cons to ensure you get the best deal.
Pros
- Promotes sustainable energy use
- Helps avoid fluctuating fuel prices
- Stress-free digital payments
- Multiple payment plans to choose from
- Roadside assistance and routine maintenance are included in the subscription fee
- The hassle-free online sign-up system registers you for an EV within minutes
Cons
- Limited Tesla options available
- Multiple additional charges apart from the subscription fee
- Limited driving miles per month
- Insurance is not included in the subscription fee
- App only works on iOS devices
Autonomy Alternatives
If the prospect of subscribing to a Tesla seems attractive, but the cons of Autonomy are deal-breakers for you, it’s not the end of the world.
There are many other alternatives to Autonomy that you can try out and start driving an EV with minimal commitment.
1. T4L
If you’re concerned about the limited Tesla models available on Autonomy, then T4L is your solution. This platform is similar to Autonomy but offers a diverse fleet of EVs, including Tesla, Porsche, and Nissan LEAF.
Unlike Autonomy, T4L gives you a single subscription plan depending on the car you choose. Moreover, their subscription fee is all-inclusive, so you won’t have to pay for a third-party insurance policy.
But you will have to make prepayments five months in advance. These account for the last four months of your subscription with a month’s advance payment.
However, if you’re looking for a short-term commitment, T4L might not fit your needs as its minimum subscription period is two years. Another downside of T4L is that they do not provide deliveries. Instead, you will have to pick your EV up from the nearest showroom.
2. Kyte
Another option to check out if you’re looking for a subscription-based Tesla is Kyte. The platform offers an all-inclusive subscription fee plan according to your chosen Tesla model. In addition, you don’t have to pay any additional charges besides the monthly fee amount.
Moreover, this platform operates in multiple cities across the US, including Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, and Denver.
What’s more, if you’re looking for a short-term trial, Kyte renews your subscription contract every month. So you can try out an EV for a month without worrying about additional costs.
Should You Take The Autonomy Tesla Subscription?
If you’re concerned about reducing your carbon footprint, Autonomy gives you an excellent opportunity to do so.
Using this platform, you can drive a subscription-based EV with minimal commitment and no long-term debt.
While the platform has a few limitations and drawbacks, such as mileage limitations and additional charges, its customizable fee plan is an attractive plus point.
So, if you’re a Tesla enthusiast who uses an iOS device, this app is the ideal solution for you to start your EV journey.
But, if you live outside California, Florida, Texas, or Washington, you can try out the alternatives mentioned to get an effortless and hassle-free EV-driving experience.
