- There are many electric vehicles available on the Motability Scheme.
- EVs offer zero tailpipe emissions, a smooth drive, and lower running costs.
- If it's your first EV on the Scheme, you could get a home chargepoint installed at no extra cost, or access over 80,000 public chargepoints via the Go with the Motability Scheme app.
If you're considering making the switch to an electric vehicle for your next Motability lease, you're in good company.
More customers than ever are choosing to go electric, and it's easy to see why.
Read on for everything you need to know about electric cars on the Motability Scheme, from what's included in your package to how charging works in practice.
Why choose an electric Motability car?
There are plenty of good reasons to go electric on your next lease:
Zero tailpipe emissions
Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions whilst driving, which means cleaner air wherever you travel.
Lower running costs
Charging an EV costs significantly less per mile than filling a petrol or diesel tank.
On a home chargepoint, you're looking at around 8p per mile on a standard tariff, or as little as 3p per mile if you charge off-peak, according to the Motability Scheme. That's a meaningful difference over three years.
A smoother drive
EVs use a single-gear system, which means a quieter, more relaxed driving experience from the moment you pull away.
They're also almost all automatic, which many customers find easier and more comfortable, particularly those managing fatigue or reduced grip strength.
Plenty of choice
From compact city cars to spacious SUVs, there's an electric Motability car to suit every lifestyle and driving need.
Looking ahead
The government's ban on new petrol and diesel car sales comes into effect in 2030. Choosing an EV now means you're already ahead of the curve.
What's included with your electric Motability lease?
Your Motability package covers the essentials, so you can focus on enjoying your car, not managing the admin.
Every lease includes:
Insurance for up to three named drivers
Road tax
Servicing and maintenance
RAC breakdown assistance
A 60,000-mile allowance over three years
A wide range of adaptations, many at no extra cost
Charging support (either a home chargepoint with standard installation at no extra cost to you, or access to the bp pulse public network – check your Motability T&Cs for more information)
Visit your local Vertu dealership and your Motability Specialist will handle all the paperwork for you.
Am I eligible for the Motability Scheme?
To join the Motability Scheme, you need to be in receipt of one of the following allowances:
Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Higher Rate Mobility Component of Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Not sure if you qualify? Use the eligibility checker tool on the Motability website to find out in just a few minutes.
Electric vehicles vs hybrids: what's the difference?
If you're new to alternatively fuelled vehicles, it helps to know the key types.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) run entirely on electricity. You charge them like a phone (plug in at home or at a public chargepoint) and they produce zero tailpipe emissions whilst driving.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) combine a petrol or diesel engine with a battery you can charge externally. They offer flexibility if you're not ready to go fully electric.
Self-charging hybrids (HEVs) don't plug in at all. The battery charges itself using energy recovered from braking, but you still need to fill up with fuel.
The government plans to ban new hybrid sales from 2035, so a fully electric vehicle offers the longest-term peace of mind.
Understanding electric car range
Range is the distance your EV can travel on a single full charge.
Shorter-range models cover around 100 miles per charge. Longer-range vehicles can exceed 250 miles.
Real-world range
Manufacturer range figures are measured under ideal conditions. In practice, a useful rule of thumb is to subtract around 20% to get a realistic idea of your everyday range.
Cold weather can reduce range by 5–20% in an EV. Worth keeping in mind if you're considering a winter lease.
Tips to get more from your battery
Charge to 80% for day-to-day use; save a full charge for long journeys
Try to keep the battery above 20%
Use your manufacturer's app to pre-condition the car before you leave. Heating or cooling the cabin while it's still plugged in saves battery power on the road
Check your tyre pressures regularly; under-inflated tyres use more energy
Travel as light as you can, accounting for any essential mobility equipment
Most EVs include range alerts to warn you when the battery is running low
Regenerative braking
When you lift your foot off the accelerator in an EV, the car recovers energy and feeds it back into the battery. This is called regenerative braking.
It takes a little getting used to, as the car slows more quickly than you might expect, but once you're familiar with it, it's a useful way to extend your range.
Charging your electric Motability car
Charging is simpler than it sounds, and the Motability Scheme includes practical support whichever option suits you best.
Home charging
If you have off-street parking (a driveway or garage), a home chargepoint is the most convenient way to charge.
Most customers simply plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery. A standard home wallbox (7.4kW) will charge most EVs from empty to full in around seven to ten hours.
If this is your first electric vehicle on the Scheme, you could get a home chargepoint and standard installation included at no extra cost to you. The charger provided is the Ohme Home Pro, a smart unit that automatically schedules charging during off-peak hours, which can reduce costs further on the right energy tariff.
Don't forget to check the full eligibility criteria at motability.co.uk before you order, or speak to one of our Motability specialists for precise, helpful information.
Public charging
Don't have off-street parking? You're still well supported.
If a home chargepoint isn't possible and this is your first fully electric car on the Scheme, Motability will provide a subscription to the bp pulse network of public chargepoints instead.
All electric customers also receive access to Go with the Motability Scheme, a card and app that gives you access to over 80,000 public chargepoints across the UK.
You can use the app to plan routes, check live chargepoint availability, and pay for charging in one place.
Charging speeds at a glance
Charger type | Speed | Typical charging time (0-80%) |
Slow (3-5kW) | Home/public | Around 10 hours |
Fast (7-22kW) | Home/public | Around 7 hours |
Rapid (43-50kW) | Public | Around 1 hour |
Ultra-rapid (100kW+) | Public | Under 30 minutes |
Every electric car on the Motability Scheme comes with the charging cable you need, so you won't need to buy one separately.
Find your Electric Motability car at Vertu
Our Motability Specialists are ready to help you find the right electric car for your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Many models are available with no Advance Payment. For those that do carry an Advance Payment, remember you can put your £750 New Vehicle Payment towards it.
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