There are a lot of people who are convinced that established automakers and oil companies, along with some support from dealers, conspired together to kill electric cars back in the ‘90s.
One of the most repeated points they try to make is that General Motors only leased its EV1 electric car to consumers. The theory is that the lease existed so that GM could pull them back, in case people really liked the cars.
Ironically, two electric car start-ups are also going to put out their cars under leasing plans. Shai Agassi, a former SAP executive, has finally released some details. Under his plan, consumers will buy the car without a battery and then pay a monthly fee to lease batteries. Conceivably, car owners will pull up to a service station to get a battery swap. Some electric municipal buses already use swap-in batteries. (On a related note, including Shai’s company, there are over 17 electric car companies, not including the motorcycle guys or established companies.)
Similarly, Think in Norway is going to try to come out with some cars this year in Norway and England. Consumers will buy the car but pay a monthly fee for the battery. The estimates are that the battery lease will come to around $100 to $150 a month.
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