There’s no getting around it – electric vehicles are here to stay. And with more customers than ever wanting to buy from responsible brands, there’s every reason to get on board. If you’re still hesitant, we understand. The technology is yet to be fully adopted, and some think it may be less convenient than traditional petrol or diesel.
With this guide to electric vehicle hire, you’ll learn why that isn’t the case – at least not when using Promohire! Discover the benefits and considerations, and see how brands have hired green vehicles to make a big impact.
Why should I hire an electric vehicle?
Here’s why it’s worth choosing an electric vehicle for your campaign or activation.
It’s the most eco-friendly option
If you’re running a green event, you need every facet of the project to be as sustainable as possible to support your message. The answer? Electric vehicle hire lets you promote your brand while doing your part for the environment. And because eco-friendly vehicles don’t release exhaust fumes, they can reduce emissions by over 80%.
It improves your brand image
Everyone loves a brand that cares for the natural world, but it actually runs deeper than that. Studies suggest that over 70% of consumers care about sustainability – so it makes sense to appeal to the majority. By choosing a green vehicle, you show that you align with their values, so they're more likely to choose you over the competition.
See how we purchased and modified a Mercedes e-Sprinter for Planted, who wanted the UK's most sustainable food truck.
It makes it easy to go green
Sometimes, putting the environment first means changing how you work, including your processes. It's much easier to run a sustainable promotional campaign, especially with an electric vehicle at the heart of it. At Promohire, we can help you take things even further by wrapping your vehicle in PVC-free films and customising the inside with recyclable materials.
You avoid emission charges
With urban areas quickly becoming Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ), you can confidently drive your vehicle knowing it fully complies with this guidance. This can make planning city-based activations easier, especially if you’re choosing to ‘dry hire’ your electric vehicle on a longer term and driving it around yourself.
What do I need to consider?
Think about the following in advance to ensure your activation runs smoothly.
Charging your vehicle
If you’re hiring your electric vehicle for a long time, then it may be worth going the dry hire route. If you do, you'll have to think about charging your vehicle regularly.
The UK’s EV infrastructure continues to improve, but with a single charge lasting for around 100 miles or so, you’ll eventually have to find a charging point. Charging is also more of a problem for our electric milk float, which needs a special attachment.
At Promohire, we always charge our electric vehicles before sending them out. So, this won’t be an issue for shorter activations, or when we’re in charge of logistics (see our logistics guide for more on this service).
Crafting an eye-catching display
An electric vehicle may be just one part of a wider campaign. That’s why many brands opt for signage, deckchairs and 3D props, plus engagement elements like spin-the-wheel and light-up games. These suit all kinds of activations, which must engage a lot of people in a short space of time.
A roof prop or sign can do a lot for exposure, but you could also use banners, flags, pop-up gazebo tents and more. Check out the Raccoon branding store for more ideas and to buy online, and to see the great selection of sustainable materials!
Building a buzz for your campaign
Electric vehicle hire means you're doing your part for the environment – and that’s worth shouting about. But even if you’re not leaning into sustainability, you’ll still want to advertise your campaign ahead of time. And to do that, you’ll need content.
Images and videos of your eco-friendly vehicle will offer a peek at what’s to come, or you book a landmark tour or live studio day. See our location planning services for details.
We recommend snapping your campaign in action so you’ll have evergreen content that shows your brand at its best, and just as importantly, the reaction of your guests! If you need a content capture expert to do this for you, simply let us know.
Which electric vehicles can I hire?
In fleet, we have the popular Ford E-Transit, which often serves as a mobile meeting room, along with London taxis and milk floats. These are small enough to fit inside shopping centres and exhibition centres.
These are just examples, however, and we can source any type of electric vehicle, such as the Volkswagen ID Buzz, which blends retro and futuristic styles into one package.
How brands used electric vehicles to stand out
See the brands that used electric vehicle hire to stand out.
Switchee
Dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in rented homes, this brand wanted to build an eco-friendly demo and meeting space. The Ford E-Transit was fitted with a rooftop sign and solar panels, while inside, it boasted a digital screen and welcoming seating area. This was a beautifully sustainable vehicle that fit the company’s goals.
See Switchee’s sustainable vehicle here
NYX Professional Makeup
This cosmetics brand wanted to spread the word about its ‘Milky Gloss’ product range, and how better to do that than with an electric vehicle, inspired once used for the classic morning run? We wrapped the milk float in a gorgeous pink and white design, installed roof signage, and made sure the logo and messaging could be seen from all sides.
Marks & Spencer
The famous high street chain partnered with sports commentator Alex Scott to promote the ‘Make Your Move’ clothing range. They chose an electric taxi, which was elegantly wrapped in black and white branding, then used for a photoshoot in Central London. And with free smoothies up for grabs, this event proved a massive success!
How much does it cost to hire an electric vehicle?
This depends on the type of electric vehicle you want. Our budget calculator shows that prices for electric taxi hire start at around £8,440 for a 7-day activation, while prices for milk floats start at around £10,440, including the wrap and standard logistics.
If you’d like us to source a particular vehicle for you, simply let us know and we'll do our best to find it at a cost-effective price.
We recommend using our budget calculator to get an idea on costs, then visit our campaign services guide to see how we charge for extra support.
