How does elmo compare to other EV subscription services?
An electric car subscription is a convenient, flexible and affordable way for more drivers to get behind the wheel of their very own electric car. A subscription doesn’t have the restrictions of a multi-year lease, and with far fewer expensive upfront costs, it’s cheaper than buying.
But which electric car subscription service is right for you? In this post, we’re going to explain everything you need to know about an EV subscription through us here at elmo and how we compare to three similar services: Wagonex, Onto and EZOO.
*Comparison information is correct as of June 2023
An overview of EV subscription providers
elmo was founded in 2019 and is now a part of the same family as WeBuyAnyCar, CarNext and cinch, which means we’re in great company. Our founders have a background in clean energy technology and wanted to offer a service that helped more drivers make the switch to electric. We pride ourselves in providing outstanding customer service and a great range of electric cars to suit everyone’s lifestyle.Â
Wagonex started life in East London, but now calls Cardiff its home, and offers drivers a flexible EV subscription service. It aims to provide drivers with flexibility, meaning you can drive a sporty EV during the summer and then switch it out for something a little hardier, like an SUV, when the roads get icier.
Onto has been around since 2018, and currently has a fleet of over 7,000 cars on UK roads. Being one of the first EV rental companies, it’s become hugely popular and has over 2,700 reviews on Trustpilot.
EZOO’s founders have embraced EV technology for over a decade and have more than 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. EZOO’s subscription service focuses on simplicity to ensure drivers can make the switch to electric.
Price
One of the most appealing features of an EV subscription is affordability. But, which of the four services offers the most competitive pricing? Below are three popular EVs so you can compare the all-inclusive monthly costs (as of June 2023). Note: each of the below costs are the lowest you could expect to pay, but may vary depending on certain factors including any optional extras.
While cost is important, it’s also vital that you consider what you get for your money when considering EV subscription providers.
What’s included in the price?
Each subscription provider will offer a slightly different service. Here’s what you can expect to receive for your monthly payment.
Features
Now that you’re familiar with what you get for your monthly subscription cost, let’s take a look at the features of every provider:
Sign-up process and usability
Once you’ve narrowed down which EV subscription service to use, you’ll go through a sign-up process to get your subscription started. Below is what you should expect from each provider.
elmo – Sign up and book the EV of your choice. Within 24 hours your account will be verified and the team will be in touch to let you know when to expect delivery, which is usually within a week (subject to availability).
Wagonex – Once you’ve signed you’ll be provided with an insurance quote. When you’re happy to proceed you’ll sign your contract, then the team will be in touch to arrange delivery.
Onto – You can create an account on the website or app and a background check will validate your account. You can then book your first EV, which will be delivered as quickly as a few days,
EZOO – Simply sign up and choose your car, agree to the terms, then select whether you would like your EV to be delivered or if you’d prefer to collect.
Which provider offers the best range of EVs?
Each EV subscription provider has a range of EVs to suit different preferences and budgets. These ranges are regularly updated, with new electric cars added and removed periodically.
As of June 2023, each provider has the following number of EVs available to book:
- elmo – 23
- Wagonex – 22
- Onto – 27
- EZOO – 29
Customer reviews
Insight and reviews from customers who have previously used a service can be an accurate way to tell whether or not you’re going to get good customer service and value for money. Here is how each of the four providers stacks up according to Trustpilot ratings as of June 2023.
elmo
300+ Trustpilot reviews, 4.6 stars
Positive comments:
- ‘Absolutely first class service to use.’
- ‘Amazing experience from day 1.’
Negative comments:
- ‘The car arrived late, not by much, but it makes it a pain to organise your day.’
- ‘The driver was unable to complete a full charging on the delivery so the car arrived with only around 25% charge.’
Wagonex
10+ Trustpilot reviews, 3.9 stars
Positive comments:
- ‘Really helpful staff, always ready to help.’
- ‘Our experience with Wagonex while trying to organize a car from overseas was exceptional.’
Negative comments:
- ‘Poor communication, extremely high monthly payments for a car that had been well used.’
- ‘Simple process, good communication – although this was let down somewhat by their account team.’
Onto
2,700+ Trustpilot reviews, 3.9 stars
Positive comments:
- ‘Really good customer service from Sonia who was amazing help.’
- ‘Booking a car was straightforward and there was a good choice of vehicles and delivery dates to choose from.’
Negative comments:
- ‘Car arrived dirty and low charge. I was charged a fortune for going over mileage.’
- ‘6/7 times called to remove named driver and add additional driver.’
EZOO
18+ Trustpilot reviews, 4.5 stars
Positive comments:
- ‘Within a couple of days (!) I had a Cupra Born on the driveway.’
- ‘Straightforward and great experience.’
Negative comments:
- ‘The “Frunk” was not cleaned at all. Full of mud and an old charging cable with a very tatty zip case.’
Which is the best EV subscription service for you?
With so many options available opening up a greater choice in EV subscriptions, how do you know which provider is right for you? We’ve summed up some of the biggest pros and cons of each service to help make your decision a little easier:
elmo
Pros
- 800 miles per month as standard
- Access to elmoCharge (25,000+ charge points)
Cons
- £119 delivery charge
- A smaller range of EVs
Wagonex
Pros
- Cancel anytime on a rolling contract
- Lowest monthly rate for Audi e-tron
Cons
- Only one additional driver
- The smallest range of EVs
Onto
Pros
- Access to Shell Recharge
- Three levels of insurance available
Cons
- No physical key provided, app required
- 750 miles per month as standard
EZOO
Pros
- Maximum of 800 miles, or 1250 miles for business users
- Biggest range of EVs to choose from
Cons
- Delivery fee of £1.80 per mile
- £120 admin fee
FAQs
elmo vs onto: which is right for you?
When it comes to elmo vs Onto, both provide a similar EV subscription service with a few key differences. An elmo subscription allows for 800 miles per month, compared to Onto’s 750. However, Onto is a more widely used service, with more than 7,500 reviews on Trustpilot, compared to 300+ for elmo – though elmo’s score is better.
elmo vs Wagonex: which is right for you?
With elmo vs Wagonex, both have a very similar range of EVs. While elmo provides fully comprehensive insurance as standard, Wagonex’s insurance is third party, fire and theft. If you have a rolling contract, you can cancel any time with Wagonex, while with elmo you need to give 30 days’ notice.
elmo vs EZOO: which is right for you?
With elmo vs EZOO, both have very similar review scores, with elmo being rated 4.6 on Trustpilot, compared to 4.5 for EZOO. However, EZOO has more than 10x fewer reviews than elmo as of June 2023. EZOO has a wider range of EVs available on subscription, but elmo doesn’t require a deposit. EZOO does allow you to arrange to collect your EV, which will remove any delivery charges.
Any Questions?
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Email us at hello@elmodrive.com
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