It is normal that many people are afraid of changesand the transformation that is already among us towards electric mobility is a good example. Many people have doubts about electric vehicles and many times, a simple test drive is not enough. to know if a car fits our lifestyle.
What if you could subscribe month by month? In some parts of the world, a subscription system is already implemented, something like a rental but extended over time, with the possibility of renewing or canceling it month by month, as is the case with some streaming platforms.
Hyundai got involved in this system and during the 2023 Chicago Auto Show introduced a new subscription service for its electric vehicles called Evolve+, which allows you to sign up for a month’s use of an electric Hyundai as a way to test the waters on EV ownership without committing to a purchase.
Where? As?
Initially, this service is available in some cities in the United States, but with prospects of expanding. Using a phone app, subscribers search for vehicles in their ZIP code and are matched with a participating local dealer. Payment is made for the vehicle and they can go to the dealership to pick it up. The vehicles available for now are the Kona EV and the new Ioniq 5.
Hyundai is using this in part for people who may be curious about the EV switch but are still on the fence and unwilling to commit to a purchase. The system promises to take paperwork and commitments away from worries, since it also includes insurance, registration and assistance expenses.
The Evolve+ system’s monthly pricing isn’t a giveaway, either: it starts at $699 for the Kona EV and $899 for the Ioniq 5 and includes 1,000 miles (1,609 km) insurance, roadside assistance, maintenance and registration. The truth is It is a competitive price if we compare it to the fee paid in that country for a financed vehiclelet alone what it would cost to rent it for a month. Hyundai says that if buyers like the vehicle after signing up and want to buy it, they have special plans with the dealer.
Prices and advantages of the service compared to the fee of a financed, leased and rented vehicle.
While this sounds like a good idea for those curious about electric vehicles, many specialists maintain that the future of the industry will turn towards this type of subscription system. The vast majority of people have their vehicle in disuse most of the time, and it ends up being a business to use only for what we use it rather than buying the car directly. If the logistics are smooth and the prices are convenient, perhaps in the future the cars will not belong to anyone, but they will also belong to everyone.
