A New Way to Get Behind the Wheel of an Electric Vehicle

It’s not buying. It’s not leasing. It’s kind of like a rental, but different. It’s a new way to drive an EV that’s like signing up to a streaming service. It’s a car subscription.

This new approach to electric mobility has actually been around for three years (since 2022), but it’s prepared to break out in 2026 for several reasons I’ll get into shortly. The primary proponent of EV-oriented subscriptions is a company called Autonomy. I recently interviewed co-founder and CEO Scott Painter to get an update on the company’s operations.

Painter, a serial entrepreneur who has started several online automotive companies, described Autonomy’s services as “like a streaming service.” Think Netflix for EVs. It’s characterized as “mobility access” rather than car buying or leasing. The chief appeal is flexibility and ease of access. On top of that Autonomy offers fairly reasonable rates, which is not always the case in subscription services.

The autonomy process is familiar to anyone who has signed up for any service through an app. First step is to download the Autonomy app from the App Store on your phone. The two initial steps are to upload a scan of your driver’s license and enter credit card information. Painter noted that the process does not trigger a credit report that might affect your credit rating. Then it’s a matter of choosing a vehicle and term of use.

Rates are based on the vehicle and the length of time you want to commit to using it. Of course, longer terms equal lower per month rates. A refundable security deposit is also required. But the company says short-term, month-to-month terms can be exited with two weeks’ notice. Cars can be picked up at a local dealer, such as Polestar’s Palo Alto office, or they can be delivered to the subscriber’s home. After a brief walk-around orientation, you get the keys and are on your way. Further information on vehicle operations is available via a QR code.

At present, Autonomy subscribers are expected to provide their own insurance. Painter said the company’s intent is to include that in the fee in the future. All routine maintenance is included in the subscription, including tire replacement. Service is done at cooperating dealers or via a mobile service contractor. The basic package includes 1,000 miles per month, routine maintenance, roadside assistance and a free charging kit.

Painter sums it up as the “fastest, cheapest way to get access to an EV.” Average costs are $500-700/month, according to Painter, but when I visited the site I saw some cars started at $390. Either way, those numbers are more favorable than the current average monthly new car payment.

Currently, Autonomy’s fleet is almost exclusively Tesla Model 3 sedans, but the company just announced a new round of financing that will add updated Model 3s, Model Ys and Polestar 2s to the fleet. Painter said they’re also looking at potential grabbing some of the estimated 250,000 EVs from a variety of companies that will be coming off lease in the coming year to add more variety to the fleet.

Other subscription services

Autonomy is not the only company offering automotive subscription services. Auto companies, such as Porsche, Volvo, BMW and others, offer plans with slightly different parameters. Car rental companies like Hertz and Enterprise (and some third party companies) also offer subscriptions. While some of these may include electric cars, none of them are exclusively EV like Autonomy. A check on pricing at those companies also shows prices tend to be higher than Autonomy’s.

The downside to subscriptions in general is that they may end up being more expensive than a dealer’s two-year lease. During this past year, some outrageously cheap leases were offered on EVs. Of course, those deals may or may not come back while Autonomy seems committed to keeping its pricing structure in its current range. Another potential hit is on insurance, which can be pricey for some EVs. Again, Autonomy’s Painter said they are looking into potential future programs that would include that in the monthly fee.

Right now Autonomy is offering vehicles in all of PG&E’s territory (and off of California) and six other states. Painter’s vision is to take the company nationwide eventually. For now, this represents one of the easiest ways to get into an EV.  

About the author

Michael Coates is an internationally recognized expert on automotive environmental issues. He publishes the Clean Fleet Report (https://cleanfleetreport.com/), writes for a variety of publications and also consults in the automotive industry.