Let’s fire up the engines and dive into the world of electric cars, where a revolution is brewing faster than a Tesla in Ludicrous mode. Ayvens, a heavyweight in the leasing jungle, is dropping a bombshell on the traditional four-year lease contracts. Their pitch? Stretch it out to six years. And honestly, it’s a plan that even an old petrolhead like me can see some spark in—for the planet, the wallet, and the sheer joy of driving.
Ayvens, born from the merger of leasing giants ALD Automotive and LeasePlan, manages a fleet of over 3.3 million vehicles worldwide, with half a million already running on electricity. In Belgium, they’re a big deal, with 151,000 leased cars and a mission to green up the roads. Their push for six-year leases isn’t some trendy marketing gimmick—it’s a smart move that keeps both drivers and bosses happy. Let’s be real: in a world where the price of a loaf of bread climbs faster than a Chinese EV maker, a bit of predictability in your monthly payments is as welcome as air conditioning on a scorching day.
Why six years, you ask? Well, electric cars are getting tougher than an old diesel pickup. Batteries now last longer than the average boy band. Studies show that after 200,000 kilometers, most EV batteries still hold 80% of their capacity. That means you can keep zipping along without worrying about a pricey battery swap. Plus, EV maintenance is so minimal you’ll spend less time at the garage than an F1 team at a pit stop. Fewer moving parts, less hassle. And let’s not forget: the longer you lease an EV, the smaller your ecological footprint. Producing an electric car pumps out more CO2 upfront than a gas-guzzler, but after about 120,000 kilometers, you’ve paid off that debt. Keep driving for a few more years, and you’re greener than a vegan picnic.
For drivers, it’s a no-brainer. You keep your trusty car longer, with the same favorable lease terms. No fussing with new contracts, no fluctuating interest rates making your bank account weep. And let’s be honest: once you’ve tasted the silent, smooth power of an EV, you won’t want to go back to the clatter of a combustion engine. Especially for the younger crowd, who value sustainability more than a hip coffee shop, this idea is a hit. Keeping your EV longer means fewer new cars being built, and that’s a big middle finger to the resource-hungry industry.
For employers, it’s a win-win too. Longer leases mean lower depreciation costs, as an EV’s value drops less sharply the longer you hold onto it. You can optimize your fleet, shuffle cars to other colleagues, and score bonus points for your sustainability report. In Belgium, where 87% of the 127,922 new electric cars registered in 2024 were snapped up by companies and leasing firms, this is a game-changer. With a market share that puts Belgium third in Europe for EV adoption, it’s clear we’re not lagging behind.
But there’s a catch, and it’s the residual value of those EVs. The used electric car market is more unpredictable than April weather. Price swings, especially from aggressive players like Tesla and Chinese newcomers, make it a gamble for leasing companies to predict a car’s value after four years. By extending contracts to six years, you spread that depreciation over a longer period, reducing the risk of a financial hangover. Some manufacturers even offer buyback guarantees to sweeten the deal for leasing firms, but that’s a story for another day.
So, what’s the verdict? Longer lease contracts are a smart, sustainable move that saves both the wallet and the planet. It’s not perfect—the used EV market still needs to mature, and not everyone’s thrilled about keeping the same car for six years. But in a world where change moves faster than an EV sprinting from 0 to 100, this is a step in the right direction. And who knows, maybe in a few years we’ll see eight-year leases, or we’ll all be cruising in self-driving pods that look like a cross between a spaceship and an espresso machine.
For those itching to jump into a 100% electric ride, check out our marketplace at https://volty.be/nl/buy/cars/overview/. You’ll find a slew of EVs ready to make your drives greener, cheaper, and a tad more thrilling. Because let’s be honest: the future is electric, and that future starts today.
