Leasing an electric bicycle in the UK

Leasing in its various forms is a popular way of running a car so why don't more electric bicycle makers offer it as an option?

VanMoof subscriptions are available in the Netherlands, Germany, and America, but not here for some reason. Under their model, customers pay 83 euros per month (equivalent of £70), which includes maintenance, cycle rescue, and insurance. After three years you have the option to buy the bike for its market value at that moment.

Here in the UK, electric bike leasing deals seem far and few between; Hurrecane is the only company that offers a truly bespoke service. According to the firm: "If you are tall, small, heavy, have health issues or disabilities, we can build you an eBike and offer it to you through our first of a kind, flexible low-cost eBike subscription model."

Hurrecane deliver a fully-built bike to your door, give you a demonstration of how it works and then leave it with you in return for a monthly subscription fee that includes maintenance, a lifetime warranty and no long-term contract.

Electric bicycles don't yet enjoy the same subsidies that electric cars do. It's a missed opportunity by the government as ebikes offer a far more practicable and environmentally benign alternative to electric cars. Quite apart from anything else, they don't require costly charging infrastructure. The uptake of electric bicycles in this country has undoubtedly been slowed by the fact they're more expensive to buy than conventional bikes - which is why subscription services make so much sense.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.

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