Try an EV before you buy: MG ZS EV joins Europcar rental fleet
Australian EV fans will be given the opportunity to try a MG EV before you buy, with Chinese carmaker MG Motor Australia partnering with Europcar to place 40 MG ZS EVs on the rental fleet in Melbourne.
While we wouldn’t normally rush to report on rental fleet changes, this deal is fairly unique in that it gives EV curious Australians the opportunity to climb behind the wheel of an electric SUV without having to commit to buying one, or even entering a dealership.
Critical to the try a MG EV before you buy deal will be a customer’s driving range requirements, but MG points to the rental firm’s daily driving average of 120km being easily achievable without having to recharge, given the ZS EV’s 263km range.
“This exciting partnership will provide many people who are thinking of electric motoring the chance to try it for themselves, on their own terms,” says MG Motor Australia CEO, Peter Ciao.
The vehicles will join the Europcar fleet over the next four months, with short to long-term loans available.
“This partnership between MG and Europcar proves that the electric vehicle has come of age, and discerning businesses or individuals can take advantage of this for their mobility needs, whilst reducing their carbon footprint,” says Europcar MD, Benoit Garel.
Another, longer-term option to try an EV before you buy is though energy company AGL, which launched its own Electric Vehicle Subscription service in November last year. For $299 per week you can have a Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq Electric, MG ZS EVor Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV; a Hyundai Kona Electric is $359 a week and Tesla Model 3 $529 per week.
At $40,990, plus on-road costs, the MG ZS EV is Australia’s cheapest EV, undercutting rivals like the Hyundai Ioniq Electric ($48,970, plus on-road costs) and Nissan Leaf ($49,990, plus on-road costs), and its closest competitor, size-wise, the Hyundai Kona Electric, which starts at $60,740.
The MG ZS EV is equipped with a 105kW/353Nm electric motor that powers the front wheels, while its 44.5kWh battery promises a 263km range between charges.
