TESLA BUSINESS LEASE

When you lease an electric car for business, a leasing company makes the car available to your company for a fixed monthly fee. You can start using the car right away. Leasing a car has many advantages.

First of all, you do not have to pay the full purchase price at once. This keeps your funds free for other business purposes. In addition, the monthly lease costs are often clear and predictable, making it easy to plan your budget.

You also do not have to worry about things like maintenance, repairs and insurance, as these are often included in the lease contract. This saves you time and effort, and you can focus fully on your business. Leasing a car therefore offers flexibility, convenience and clarity for your company.

1. Determining your needs: First, determine the needs of your company. Think about the type of electric car you need, such as a passenger car, a van or a specific make and model. Also consider things like the desired lease period, the expected mileage and any specific requirements.
2. Finding a leasing company: Look for reliable leasing companies that offer business car leasing. You can search online, ask for recommendations or contact other entrepreneurs for advice.
3. Quotes and negotiation: Contact the leasing company and request a quote based on your specific needs.
4. Acceptance: The leasing company assesses your application based on your company's details before the lease contract is drawn up.
5. Signing the contract: If you agree to the lease terms, the leasing company will draw up a lease contract. Make sure you read and understand the contract thoroughly before signing it. The contract includes details such as the duration of the lease, the monthly payments, the mileage policy, insurance and any other terms.
6. Delivery of the electric car: After signing the lease contract, the car is ordered or delivered according to the agreed specifications. The leasing company makes sure the car is in good condition and ready for use.
7. Payments and use: During the term of the lease contract, you pay monthly lease costs to the leasing company. You can use the car according to the agreed terms, taking into account any restrictions such as mileage limits and maintenance requirements.
8. Maintenance and insurance: Depending on the type of lease contract, maintenance and insurance services may be included. Check the lease contract to understand your responsibilities and which services are covered by the leasing company.
9. End of the lease contract: At the end of the lease period, you usually return the car to the leasing company. Make sure you meet any return conditions, such as returning the car in good condition and staying within the agreed mileage. You then have the option to choose a new lease car and go through the process again, or you can consider other options, such as extending the lease contract or purchasing the car at an agreed price.

In about 80% of cases, leasing an electric car is cheaper than buying one, even if you drive relatively few kilometres.

When you lease, the leasing company takes the management and maintenance of the car off your hands, which saves you a lot of time and effort. There are other advantages too, such as paying a fixed amount per month. Maintenance costs, insurance costs and road tax are already included in the price. Only the energy costs are variable. This gives your company clarity about its expenses. Leasing is often considered attractive, especially if you do not have starting capital.

Please note: If you also use the lease car privately and drive more than 500 kilometres a year for private purposes, you will have to pay the taxable benefit (bijtelling). In 2023, the bijtelling for electric cars was 16% and for other cars 22%. You should also keep in mind that you usually sign a contract for a longer period, for example 2 to 5 years.

1. Paying the taxable benefit (bijtelling)
Statistics show that about 80% of drivers of a lease car pay bijtelling. If you drive more than 500 kilometres a year privately, you pay bijtelling. The bijtelling is not a fixed amount; it differs per car. Exactly how much you pay depends, among other things, on the list price of the car and the bijtelling category the car falls into.

2. Private use and VAT
If you use the lease car privately, you must offset your private use against your car costs.

The leasing company charges you VAT. You can deduct this as input tax, insofar as you supply goods or services that are subject to VAT. If you also use the car privately, you must pay VAT on the private use.

1. Electric business leasing:
   • Look at the lease rate: The monthly lease rate depends on the list price of the car, the term of the lease contract and the number of kilometres you expect to drive per year.
   • Check the taxable benefit (bijtelling): If you also use the lease car privately, you must pay bijtelling. The amount of bijtelling is determined by the list price, the bijtelling category of the car, your income and any personal contribution.
   • Take other costs into account: In addition to the monthly lease rate, there may be other costs, such as charging costs, parking costs, traffic fines, etc. Road tax is also an extra cost that will have to be paid once the government has decided what the motor vehicle tax for electric cars will be.
2. Buying electric for business:
   • Research the purchase price: Look at the price of the car you want to buy, including any extra options.
   • Calculate depreciation: Cars depreciate over time. Take into account the expected loss in value of the car during the time you want to use it.
   • Other costs: In addition to the purchase price, you also need to consider costs such as insurance, energy, maintenance, damage, repairs and any taxes.