PCO driving is not about getting any car and offering rides to passengers. It’s about getting the right car, one that meets TfL’s emission standards, offers space and comfort to passengers, and lowers the running costs.
This is why EVs are becoming increasingly popular among PCO drivers as they check all these boxes and more. If you still haven’t switched to an EV, you are spending hundreds of pounds every month that could have stayed in your pocket.
Now, if you are wondering how I can switch to an EV? They cost a lot. The answer is simple: choose PCO car hire. It’s the most affordable way to access a fully electric vehicle.
Here’s why switching to an EV with
PCO car hire makes sense.
ULEZ and Congestion Charge Savings
Driving a petrol or diesel vehicle means you not only have to deal with the rising fuel costs but also ULEZ and congestion charges.
ULEZ charge is a £12.50 daily fee, while congestion charge is a £15 daily fee. That’s £27.50 per day and if you work full time and drive 7 days a week, that’s over £800 per month or over £9,000 per year. That’s a lot of money that you can keep in your pocket by driving an EV.
EVs are fully exempt from ULEZ and congestion charges, allowing you to operate in any part of London without unwanted fees. The money you save by driving an EV can be used to cover other business costs or simply to improve your life.
Lower Daily Running Costs
Fuel prices are volatile. One month, you are filling up your tank for £1.45 per litre while the next month, the cost could rise to £1.60 per litre. This may not seem like a big deal at first but when you are a PCO driver who clocks hundreds of miles every day, the costs can quickly pile up.
On the other hand, electricity is significantly cheaper compared to fuel, which means
charging EVs also costs less.
Many PCO drivers have reported that switching to an EV has helped them save up to £50 in weekly fuel costs. You can save even more by charging at home overnight or using
free EV charging stations.
Maintenance is Included
Another drawback of petrol/diesel cars is that they require frequent maintenance. Oil changes, filter repairs, and spark plug upkeep are a few to name.
EVs, on the other hand, have fewer moving parts, which results in lower maintenance costs. No oil changes, filter replacements, or gearbox drama.
Even when the car needs maintenance, it’s not your headache. In most cases, your car provider will be the one responsible for the car’s upkeep. This not only gives you peace of mind but also saves a lot of your valuable time.
Think about how much time you would lose dealing with mechanics, finding a reliable garage, waiting for the parts to arrive, etc. With maintenance included in the package, you can focus on driving and earning with minimal downtime.
No Depreciation Worries
PCO cars depreciate fast due to heavy use.
An EV that costs £30,000 today could be less than half of that two years later. This is not just a drop in value. This is a massive fall.
With PCO car hire, you don’t have to worry about the car’s depreciating value as well. Since you don’t own the car, you are not responsible for its resale value. Just drive, earn, and return the car when you no longer want to use it.
Remember that the EV tech is upgrading fast in terms of range, charging time, etc.
If you bought an EV a couple of years ago, there’s a good chance that it has already been outclassed.
Hiring an EV gives you the freedom to switch to an upgraded model whenever you want without being stuck with an outdated car.
Flexible Contracts for Uncertain Times
The demand keeps fluctuating in the PCO world. If you own an expensive EV model (particularly on finance), paying for its cost can be difficult during slower periods.
PCO car hire eliminates this problem as well.
You can return the car at short notice when the demand is low, and upgrade to a finer model when things are back to normal.
This kind of flexibility is also ideal for drivers who are testing the waters because if things don’t work out, you can always return the car without getting locked into a long-term contract.
Ready for the Future
The policies are constantly getting stricter in London, particularly when it comes to emissions. The authorities plan to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 and by 2035, all the new cars and vans must be Zero Emission Capable (ZEC).
By switching to an EV now, you future-proof your PCO career. The policy changes will have no effect on you which means you can continue driving and earning in the future as well.
However, if you stick to a petrol or diesel vehicle while everyone switches to EVs, you will be left behind in the race.
Insurance Included
The last reason to switch to an EV with PCO car hire is that many companies include insurance in the package. We are not talking about any insurance. We are talking about comprehensive insurance that covers you from every angle.
- A passenger got injured while you were driving? Covered.
- Damaged your car’s body and need help with car body repair? Covered.
- Hurt a road user unintentionally? Covered.
- Injured yourself due to an accident that was your own fault? Still covered.
The future is electric. If you can’t afford to buy an EV, switch to one through PCO car hire because it is one of the most cost-effective ways to drive and earn in London. Plus, driving an EV helps keep your hard-earned profits in your pocket. So, go electric and step into a more profitable future today.