Tesla Business Leasing vs. Car Subscription: The Big Comparison
Kamilya -
février 26, 2025
Tesla Leasing or Car Subscription? How to Find the Optimal Mobility Solution for Your Business
If you need representative and high-performance company vehicles for your electric fleet, you might consider opting for the Tesla brand. The vehicles of this pioneering electric car manufacturer impress with their sporty design and dynamic driving experience. Traditionally, Tesla business leasing has been an attractive option for acquiring these luxury cars for a company. However, there is an even more flexible option – a car subscription with CARIFY.
Tesla Leasing vs. Car Subscription: Fundamental Differences
Leasing and car subscription share some similarities: you can use the Tesla vehicle for a specific period without owning it, and afterward, you return the vehicle to the owner. The main difference between these models lies in the contract duration and cost structure.
Cost Structure for Tesla Models
What do the costs of both models look like? At first glance, leasing rates appear lower than those of a car subscription, but this is misleading. Let's take a closer look:
Tesla Leasing: Tesla offers a mileage-based leasing plan for businesses. You determine how many kilometers your Tesla will likely drive per year. Based on this, the vehicle's residual value is calculated, which also determines the monthly leasing rate. Additional ongoing costs include taxes, insurance, repairs, and services. The leasing provider requires the lessee to take out comprehensive insurance to be covered in case of damage. While the lessee does not bear residual value risk with this option, exceeding the agreed mileage limit can result in high additional costs.
Tesla Car Subscription from CARIFY: With CARIFY’s car subscription, all costs related to the vehicle, except for charging electricity, are included in the monthly rate. The rate depends on the subscription duration and becomes cheaper the longer you commit. You can also select the monthly mileage allowance and insurance package. All repairs, services, and even the Swiss motorway vignette are included.
With a Tesla subscription, you can reduce the monthly costs by making a down payment, which also gives you a discount of up to 10% on the total costs.
Contractual Flexibility and Terms
Choosing a leasing contract means committing for a long period. The CARIFY car subscription, on the other hand, offers various flexible options.
Tesla Leasing: Requires a commitment of several years, typically between 2 and 4 years.
Tesla Car Subscription from CARIFY: You can flexibly adjust the duration to your needs, choosing between 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, or 48 months. The CARIFY "Try & Buy" model even allows you to test-drive the Tesla for up to 6 months before deciding whether to buy or return it. During the trial period, you only pay the subscription fees, which include all running vehicle costs. If you decide to buy the car afterward, 100% of the subscription fees (excluding taxes, insurance, and service costs) will be refunded.
Specific Services for Business Customers
Beyond the mentioned factors, additional aspects are relevant for businesses to simplify their fleet administration. Here, significant differences exist between leasing and CARIFY's car subscription.
Service Scope in Tesla Leasing
Tesla offers optional service packages that can be added to the leasing contract for an extra monthly cost. These include:
Service Package: Free mobile connectivity updates, remote diagnostics, and assistance from mobile service technicians. Free service appointments via the Tesla app at an authorized repair shop.
Included Services in the Tesla Car Subscription
With CARIFY, you don’t need to worry about additional service packages, as we aim to make the car subscription as simple and hassle-free as possible. The following services are included in the monthly subscription fee:
Vehicle tax
Insurance (liability, comprehensive, partial coverage, optional parking damage insurance, Europe-wide roadside assistance) in three packages
Service, maintenance, inspection
Repairs at an authorized repair shop
Swiss motorway vignette
Registration in the resident canton
Fleet Management Options
Tesla provides business customers with integrated fleet management software for monitoring and managing the fleet. It also includes Tesla’s fleet API and charging solutions.
With CARIFY’s car subscription, you not only get free fleet management but also benefit from unbeatable B2B fleet conditions and exclusive fleet deals. Since CARIFY handles all contracts and running costs for you, your fleet management workload is significantly reduced. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about maintenance intervals or service appointments—CARIFY reminds you and even books the appointments. Upon request, we can even arrange for a driver to pick up the car for service and return it afterward.
Financial Comparison for Businesses
Many companies ask themselves: What are the costs of leasing a Tesla as a company car, and how does the car subscription compare? To answer this, it’s best to consider the total vehicle costs over a specific period.
TCO Analysis (Total Cost of Ownership)
A TCO analysis examines the total costs of a vehicle over a defined period and mileage. The following costs are considered:
Down payment
Monthly rate
Vehicle tax
Liability insurance
Comprehensive insurance
Additional insurance and roadside assistance
Services, maintenance, inspection
Repairs
Operating costs
Almost all of these costs are variable with leasing, depending on the down payment amount, agreed leasing rate, insurance premiums, and other expenses. Thus, TCO for leasing can only be determined retrospectively. With CARIFY’s car subscription, it’s much simpler: no down payment, no unexpected costs, since everything is included in the rate. The only fluctuating factor is operating costs, making expenses much easier to track.
Tax Considerations in Switzerland
Since the import tax exemption for electric vehicles in Switzerland ended in 2024, only certain cantons still offer tax benefits for electric vehicles:
Zurich, Glarus, Solothurn: 100% exemption
St. Gallen: 100% exemption for 4 years, then 50%
Basel-Stadt: 50% exemption for 10 years
Bern: 60% exemption for 4 years
With CARIFY, vehicle tax is already included in the monthly Tesla subscription rate, meaning no administrative effort on your part.
Insurance and Maintenance Costs
With Tesla leasing, you must add insurance and maintenance costs to the leasing rates. In contrast, Tesla’s CARIFY subscription includes these in the monthly rate, benefiting from favorable conditions negotiated with our partners.
Sustainability and Incentives
When transitioning to an electric fleet, aspects like sustainability and available incentives play a role.
CO2 Footprint and Environmental Benefits
A sustainable fleet enhances corporate image. Many areas already have restrictions on combustion engine vehicles, while electric company cars can enter these zones.
Available Incentives in Switzerland
Some cantons offer incentives for purchasing EVs, though the landscape is constantly changing. Checking the latest conditions is advisable.
Future-Proof Investment
Rising CO2 emission costs and increasing fossil fuel prices make EVs a cost-effective long-term choice. Investing in corporate charging infrastructure is also financially beneficial.
By opting for a Tesla car subscription with CARIFY, your business remains flexible, cost-efficient, and environmentally responsible.
FAQs
How do Tesla leasing and car subscriptions differ?
In both options, the mileage affects the monthly rate, and the vehicles are returned to the owner at the end of the term. With Tesla leasing, you need to account for a down payment in addition to the monthly leasing rates. With CARIFY’s car subscription, you have the option to lower the monthly rate by making a down payment and receiving an attractive bonus, but it is not required. Leasing rates do not include maintenance costs, whereas CARIFY’s car subscription is all-inclusive—one price, everything included.
What are the typical lease terms for Tesla?
With Tesla’s mileage-based leasing, you can choose a lease term between 2 and 4 years.
What insurance is included in the subscription?
CARIFY’s car subscription is called a flat rate for a reason. The minimum package already includes liability, comprehensive, and partial coverage insurance.
What happens in case of early termination?
Tesla charges a fee for early termination of mileage-based leasing. This fee is calculated based on the value of the used vehicle at the time of return. Additional costs may apply for excessive wear and tear.
You can cancel CARIFY’s car subscription with 14 days’ notice at the end of the minimum term. If you wish to terminate the subscription before the minimum term expires, costs will apply according to the terms and conditions. The minimum fee is 500 CHF, including VAT.