E-Car Leasing: What You Need to Know

20 November 2025

Electric cars are on the rise – quiet, efficient and environmentally friendly. More and more people want to switch to electric mobility without taking on major financial risks.

At first glance, traditional car leasing looks attractive: new cars, fixed monthly payments and significantly lower upfront costs compared to buying. But when you look more closely, there can be commitments and financial risks that are easy to overlook.

In this article, you’ll learn how e-car leasing works, which concerns exist and why a car subscription is the better alternative for many.

What exactly is e-car leasing?

E-car leasing follows the classic leasing model – simply for electric cars. You pay a monthly leasing fee, use the car for an agreed period and return it afterwards. Sounds convenient, right? But as with any form of financing, the devil is in the detail.

Leasing a car is an ideal solution for anyone who wants to drive a new car without spending a large amount all at once. Especially for popular models such as a Tesla Model Y Long Range, e-car leasing is a common choice. However, there are several important points to keep in mind.

Why electric cars are so popular right now

Attractive interest rates currently make it particularly appealing to switch to electric mobility. At the same time, electric cars impress with their environmentally friendly operation and low running costs.

Compared to petrol or diesel vehicles, you can save significantly on energy costs with an electric car. Electricity is cheaper than fuel – especially when charging at home.

Electric cars also stand out when it comes to running costs: they have fewer components that require maintenance, no oil changes and no exhaust system. As a result, service and maintenance costs are lower, saving you money in the long run.

In many cantons, tax benefits are also available.

This combination of lower energy costs, reduced maintenance requirements and tax advantages makes the move to electric mobility more worthwhile than ever.

Modern electric cars also convince with innovative technology, contemporary design and a driving experience that reflects the latest technical standards.

But as tempting as it sounds, there are several points you should know when leasing.

Concerns with traditional leasing

Leasing may appear straightforward, but it can involve some surprises. Many underestimate the commitments and financial risks linked to a leasing contract – especially when the monthly payment seems low while additional costs are easily overlooked. Many forget that insurance, tyres, servicing and other ongoing costs are usually not included in the leasing fee. In contrast, a car subscription includes all these services in the monthly price.

Here is an overview of the most important points you should consider:

Deposit

At the start of the contract, a deposit is often required. This reduces the monthly leasing fee, since part of the total amount is paid upfront.

Security deposit

Some leasing providers require a security deposit instead of – or in addition to – the initial deposit. It serves as financial security for the provider and is refunded after the proper return of the car.

Residual value agreement

The residual value is the estimated value of the car at the end of the leasing term. It directly influences your monthly payments: the higher the residual value, the lower the fee.

High residual value – opportunity and risk

A high residual value seems appealing because it lowers monthly payments. But beware: if the car loses more value than expected, returning it can become expensive.

With residual-value leasing, you pay the difference between the car’s new price and the agreed residual value during the contract. Example: If the car costs CHF 30,000 and the residual value is CHF 10,000, you pay CHF 20,000 across the term. If the car is worth less than CHF 10,000 at return, you must cover the difference.

With kilometre-based leasing, things are different: only your annual mileage matters. You pay based on kilometres driven – regardless of depreciation.

In Switzerland, mixed forms combining residual value and mileage are common.

After considering all of this, it becomes clear: leasing comes with significant financial considerations. Especially when switching to an electric car, the question arises whether leasing is still the right choice – or whether a car subscription offers the better alternative.

E-car leasing vs. car subscription: What’s the difference?

At first glance, leasing and a car subscription may seem similar – but on closer inspection, the differences in cost and services become significant. This table summarises the key points:

Security deposit

Not always required but often requested; can amount to several thousand francs.

Usually no security deposit. In rare cases, one may apply if creditworthiness is insufficient.

Down payment

Often required to reduce the monthly rate, but not mandatory.

No down payment required, optional on request.

Residual value

Must be defined at the start; brings residual-value risk at return.

No residual-value risk, as all costs are included in the monthly fixed price.

Contract term

24–60 months

3–48 months

Servicing & insurance

Costs for servicing, insurance, tyres and taxes must be paid by the lessee.

All services included – no extra costs.

Many customers choose Carvolution because they want more flexibility, simplicity and full cost transparency – and that’s exactly what they get here. How this looks in everyday life is demonstrated by the example of Frank from Basel.

Example: How you can save over CHF 100 per month with an e-car in a car subscription

A real-life example:
Frank from the Basel region commutes daily for work and does regular shopping trips. He used to buy his cars – today he is already driving his third car through a Carvolution car subscription, an electric car.

With his e-car, Frank saves noticeably each month thanks to significantly lower electricity costs and the transparent all-inclusive subscription fee. Insurance, servicing, tyres and taxes are already included in the fixed monthly price – meaning Frank doesn’t have to worry about anything and enjoys substantial savings month after month.

He says:

“Except for one exception, I always bought my cars. Once, I tried leasing – and it went badly wrong. I must have ended up with a Monday model: I was constantly at the garage, and each time the repair costs were on me. Then at return, the next surprise – additional fees I had never expected.

Today things are different. With the car subscription, everything is included except the charging electricity: taxes, insurance, servicing, even tyre changes and storage. And the best part: I carry no depreciation risk and no resale risk at all.”

Many drivers who want to switch to sustainable mobility – without financial risks – share this experience.

Conclusion: Flexible, stress-free and sustainable driving with Carvolution

Driving an electric car is more appealing than ever today – low interest rates, reduced energy costs and tax advantages make switching easy. But those choosing traditional e-car leasing should be aware of the financial commitments involved.

With a Carvolution car subscription, however, you drive in a predictable, flexible and worry-free way:
No security deposit, no residual value risk, no hidden costs.

Try it yourself and discover how easy sustainable mobility can be. Explore your e-car subscription now.