We all want to do our part for the environment, but let’s face it, electric vehicles (EVs) aren’t cheap. With an average price of an electric vehicle around $66,000, and even the more affordable models starting somewhere in the mid-$40,000, buying an EV is a tough sell for most families, especially when they’re not sure it would be right for their family and driving habits.
Do you have range anxiety? We debunk common myths surrounding range anxiety here: Should Range Anxiety Keep You From Buying an EV?
Andrew Krulewitz, the founder of Zevvy, gets it. When he initially took a job that involved a long commute of nearly 75 miles round trip from San Francisco to nearly the Central Valley, he wasn’t sure if he would like to own one either. One of the perks of the job, however, was that he would occasionally get to drive an EV company car instead of his own, and it wasn’t too long before he was hooked.
As he researched EVs, Krulewitz discovered that although 71 percent of drivers showed an interest in owning one, only 14 percent were confident that they would one day. He realized that if more drivers had a chance to ‘test drive’ an electric-powered vehicle for a short period of time, they were much more likely to end up purchasing it after having the chance to keep it for a while.
Today, Krulewitz owns Zevvy, a short-term, pay-per-mile vehicle leasing platform designed to provide potential EV car buyers a chance to play before paying. Or rather—the company provides drivers with ways to lease an EV for a short period (as little as six months) to get the feel for driving and potentially owning one before deciding whether to buy.
Quick summary:
- Zevvy offers drivers electric vehicles for short lease terms – goal is to get drivers used to EVs and enjoy driving them!
- Only available in northern California for now, but plans to expand to LA and beyond
- Gig drivers are encouraged to sign up for Zevvy
How Do Zevvy Leases Work?
Leasing a vehicle with Zevvy starts with a fairly straightforward application process that drivers can complete online. To get started, you will need to pay a $99 refundable reservation fee and answer some questions about your vehicle and driving habits. Zevvy will help you select the EV that best fits your lifestyle and budget based on your answers.
How is Zevvy Different from Other Car Leasing Companies?
As mentioned above, Zevvy only deals with EVs and EUVs and, unlike many of the other car leasing companies, Zevvy doesn’t tie drivers into a long-term lease. Instead, they only require you to keep the vehicle for a minimum of six months. This is a much shorter time period when you consider that most lease companies want you to sign a contract that will force you to keep a vehicle for an entire year or two and possibly even more.
The biggest difference between Zevvy and other leasing companies, however, is that instead of having to worry about whether you are going to get penalized for going over the amount of mileage you’re allowed to drive, the company encourages you to drive more often because the more you drive, the lower you pay in your per-cent mile price.
And yes, you can use your Zevvy vehicle to drive for Uber, Lyft, Amazon Flex, DoorDash and other gig services! In fact, according to Zevvy’s FAQ answer, they encourage drivers to use their Zevvy vehicle for gig work:
“We encourage Uber and other rideshare and gig drivers to apply for our flexible lease; in fact, we designed our EV leases with you in mind! Whether you drive a little or a lot, an EV from Zevvy is a great way to take more of your hard-earned money home with you, rather than spending it at the pump or repair shop. Numerous gig drivers already use Zevvy and find it lends them the flexibility needed to drive electric while on the job.
Please note: if you intend to use the car for any non-personal use, including, but not limited to, rideshare services, delivery services, or making the vehicle available on short-term rental services, your insurance policy must also explicitly state that you are covered to the same or greater limits as required by law and is in full force whenever using the vehicle for said services.”
What Kind of Car Can I Get?
This depends on Zevvy’s current inventory. As of November 2022, the company states that they have Chevrolet Bolts (2018-2021) and Tesla Model 3s (2018-2022). They also report that starting in 2023, they will have both new and off-lease EVs, including the new 2023 Bolt EUVs and 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5s.
No matter which vehicle you decide on, all vehicles meet the company’s minimum criteria: less than 50,000 miles, no prior accidents, and no exterior or interior damage.
How Much Does It Cost to Lease an EV Vehicle?
This varies depending on the vehicles they have in stock, but prices usually start out around $399 per month with a twelve-cent fee per mile. You will have to pay some upfront fees besides the application fee. These start around $499, plus you will need to pay the first month’s payment in advance.
How Long Does a Lease Last?
The minimum commitment to lease a car is only six months. After that, the lease will roll over to a month-to-month.
What Happens at the End of My First Six Months?
Zevvy provides drivers with three options.
- Purchase your vehicle, and they deduct every per-mile payment from the purchase price. (They will also help find an appropriate loan provider for you)
- Return the vehicle with no questions asked.
- Renew your lease on a month-to-month basis for up to 60 months.
How Many Cars are Available Right Now?
Zevvy has the financing capability for up to 1,000 vehicles.
How Soon Can I Get My Vehicle?
Zevvy is constantly sourcing vehicles in real-time, so the average turnaround time from when you get approved to when you have your vehicle is generally less than one week. Their shortest turnaround is 24 hours.
Where is Zevvy Available?
Zevvy is currently only available in the state of California. They serve over 700 zip codes in Northern California and have customers from San Francisco to Sacramento.
The company does plan to expand state-wide soon, though, and its plan is to start operating in Los Angeles in 2023.
Are you interested in driving or owning an EV? Do you already have one? Leave us a comment below.
-Kate @ RSG
