Electric Car Subscription Guide

Kamilya - October 23, 2024

For several years, electric cars have expanded the range of rental cars and car subscription providers, offering an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative for mobility. The advantage of electric cars: You can drive them in any low-emission zone, including those in European countries. Environmental subsidies in some cantons make the maintenance of electric cars affordable, and electricity is significantly cheaper compared to fossil fuels. In this article, CARIFY reveals what matters in an electric car subscription and what you should pay attention to.

The Offer of Electric Car Subscriptions in Switzerland

The era of internal combustion engines is coming to an end, and major car manufacturers have long been focusing on alternatives, offering electric cars across various vehicle categories. New brands from Asia, such as Ssangyong, are even fully committed to electric power. More than 400 garages and car dealers are CARIFY partners. This is why we have the largest selection of subscription vehicles and car brands – including many electric cars. Discover our electric:

Filter by fuel type, brand, model, and other criteria to find your desired car. We also offer electric cars with long ranges.

Benefits of an Electric Car Subscription

An electric car subscription is ideal for switching from a gasoline engine, as it allows you to try out this new way of driving without a long-term commitment. But an electric car subscription from CARIFY offers many other benefits as well:

Flexibility

How much range do you really need? When switching to an electric car, this question is especially important. At CARIFY, you can subscribe to an electric car starting from just one month – giving you the flexibility to switch to a different electric vehicle after a short period. If you opt for our Flex model, you even have the option to continue driving the subscription car under the same conditions after the contract term ends.

Cost Savings

With a CARIFY car subscription, all costs except for the fuel are included in your monthly rate. This means operating costs like taxes and insurance, as well as maintenance and depreciation, are all covered. Some of these ongoing costs are lower for electric cars. For example, our insurance partner, Zurich Insurance, offers an eco-bonus for electric vehicles insured with them. Fewer moving engine parts mean less wear and tear, resulting in lower repair costs. And since electric cars don’t require engine oil, that’s one less expense during the annual inspection. This is reflected in the monthly rate for our electric cars, as we pass these savings on to our customers.

Environmental Friendliness

Electric mobility improves the quality of life for both people and animals, as electric cars emit no CO2 or particulate matter and produce hardly any noise when driving. Air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and noise pollution are reduced. This benefits not only the climate but also plant life, as pollutants from combustion engines reach the soil and groundwater through rain. By driving an electric car, you are environmentally friendly on the road. Future driving bans and expanded low-emission zones won’t be an obstacle for you.

How an Electric Car Subscription Works

You can subscribe to an electric car at CARIFY as easily as you would with any other vehicle in our offering. You can book any of our vehicles as long as you meet the following requirements:

  • Residence in Switzerland

  • For foreign nationals: a valid residence permit in Switzerland

  • Driver’s license category B or a foreign driver’s license recognized by Switzerland

  • Positive credit check

  • Credit card in your name

  • Minimum age of 18 years

  • For cars with more than 350 horsepower: minimum age of 30 years

Registration and Contract Conclusion

  1. To subscribe to an electric car with us, simply sign up on our platform.

  2. Browse our selection of electric vehicles until you find your desired car.

  3. Configure your subscription and choose a start date that is at least nine days in the future. Try & Buy, Fix, or Flex? With a Fix subscription, you cannot extend the contract; with Flex, you can. With Try & Buy, you can test the car for up to six months and then decide if you want to purchase it. Choose a subscription term between 1 and 48 months, select one of our mileage packages (500, 750, 1000, 1750, 2500, or 3000 free kilometers per month), and the appropriate insurance package. You can also lower your monthly rate by making an upfront payment.

Vehicle Selection and Delivery

Once you’ve configured your subscription, you can confirm the booking. Your electric vehicle will be registered in your home canton and ready for you at a partner garage at the desired time. Is the garage too far away, or are you short on time? Then choose delivery to your home or workplace. This costs you just a delivery fee of 180 CHF plus a flat rate per kilometer driven and fuel. We will complete a handover protocol with you.

Services and Inclusive Packages

Your electric car subscription price includes:

  • Customizable insurance – decide how much deductible you want.

MINIMUM – CHF 1,500 deductible per collision, no coverage for parking damage

BASIC – CHF 1,000 deductible per collision, limited parking damage coverage, gross negligence

PREMIUM – 0 CHF deductible per collision, unlimited parking damage coverage, gross negligence, rim insurance

  • Service & maintenance – all necessary repairs, services, tires.

  • Registration in your home canton, and we take care of taxes for you.

  • Highway vignette

  • 24/7 roadside assistance with a replacement vehicle

User Reviews

Our users are impressed with our service and price transparency. Along with easy handling, this leads to a Google rating of 4.7 stars.

  • "Better than financing, and everything is included. Taxes, service, insurance, repairs etc. A top vehicle at a fair price. 🚙😊" (Frank Maseberg)

  • "Carify offers an incredible range of cars at great prices! The selection is impressive, and the value is great. Highly recommend!" (Noé Jaquier)

  • "I recently had a great experience using CARIFY services. From booking to handover, everything went smoothly. The staff gave great input in selecting the car and supported me throughout. They were very friendly and approachable. So far, my ride has been great, and the car runs smoothly. Overall, I am happy with the service provided." (Rahul Srivastav)

  • "Excellent, I’m very happy with my Tesla from Carify and am looking forward to my next car." (Beat Gubler)

  • "Super easy handling, and I received my car promptly. Best of all, everything is included in the package! :) I’m very happy and had great contact with the staff. I will definitely book my next car through Carify after this subscription ends!" (Fabian Meier)

Conclusion

With CARIFY, you can choose from a wide range of electric cars that meet your mobility needs. From compact cars with moderate ranges to SUVs that travel over 500 km without recharging and vans for transport. CARIFY’s electric car subscription is wonderfully simple and flexible, so it can be tailored to your needs. Thanks to the inclusive all-around service, switching to electric mobility is incredibly easy, and even experienced electric car drivers appreciate CARIFY's dedicated service. And since you only need to pay for the fuel, you’ll have a better grip on your budget.

FAQs

How much can you save with an electric car in Switzerland?

Unfortunately, some electric mobility subsidies in Switzerland have been discontinued, but there are still tax breaks for electric cars in some cantons. Some insurers offer discounted rates for electric vehicles, and you can benefit from free parking spaces in some regions. However, even without these perks, electric cars are still cheaper to run. Both the fuel and maintenance costs for electric cars are significantly lower than for gasoline cars, so the slightly higher purchase price is quickly offset.

How much does an electric car charging station cost in Switzerland?

Wallboxes or home charging stations cost between 800 and 2,500 CHF, depending on the model. In addition to the purchase price, installation costs are added. If you have a solar system on your roof, you can charge almost for free at home. Regional programs and subsidies can reduce the costs.

How do I charge my electric car in Switzerland?

Switzerland has a well-developed charging infrastructure. Most shopping centers and gas stations have charging stations, and there are public charging points in many cities and municipalities. Special fast chargers allow for quick charging along highways in just a few minutes. Many companies also offer charging stations on their premises, so employees can charge their electric cars at work at a reduced price. Home charging stations and wallboxes complement the options. Apps like “PlugShare” or “ChargeMap” help you find the nearest public charging station.

How much does an electric car cost per month?

This is difficult to answer generally, as it depends on the electric vehicle itself. Large and luxury electric cars are not only more expensive to purchase, but they also cost more to maintain. The ongoing costs of electric cars include:

  • Financing or leasing payments: Depending on the purchase price and financing type, these vary.

  • Insurance: Varies by provider and vehicle type, as well as the individual no-claims discount.

  • Electricity costs: Factors like electricity rates and charging options (home charging with a solar system or expensive fast chargers) affect the cost.

  • Maintenance: Electric cars also need maintenance, including tires, brakes, battery checks, etc.

  • Taxes and Fees: These vary depending on the canton.

The monthly costs for an electric car in Switzerland range between 600 and 1,200 CHF or more. With an electric car subscription from CARIFY, you can calculate the costs much more easily, as all expenses except for the charging electricity are already included in the monthly rate.

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