Are you a PCO driver struggling with rising costs in London? If your answer is affirmative, you’ve come to the right place. Inflation in the UK has been rising since June. These have become scary times indeed. So, what can you do to protect your family and home in this crisis?

Here’s our detailed guide on dealing with rising costs as a PCO driver in London. Keep reading to learn more.

The Increased Car Prices

The car prices in the UK have risen significantly at the beginning of the year due to the shortage in the demand-supply. So, it’s predicted that UK automobile prices will keep rising till 2023. As a PCO driver, you need to think ahead to save money. You can look into PCO cars for hire with a reputable PCO car rental company.

You can sign up with a monthly deposit and weekly rental fees and begin your shift as soon as you register your vehicle with a rideshare company.

 a side view of the steering wheel

Maintenance Cost For Your PCO Car

As a PCO driver, maintaining your car is the main running cost. Since your car travels hundreds of miles daily, it must be checked often for any mechanical issues. It also makes little sense to buy the latest PCO car, like Kia E-Niro, with a long-term financial payment benefit. You can burn through a vehicle in two years on average. After that, your vehicle will begin to show problems. By that time, you will have used your vehicle fully and still have to pay the payment.

Also, your maintenance cost will have risen significantly as well. So, the best option is to work out your budget, choose a PCO car rental, and rent the best electric vehicle in the market to save on fuel and maintenance costs. Your PCO car rental will cover all your vehicle maintenance and provide a schedule for weekly and monthly maintenance, so your PCO car for rent stays in top shape.

Switch To An Electric Vehicle

One of the best ways to save on costs is to get an electric vehicle. Unlike regular combustion engines in traditional petrol cars, electric vehicles are more reliable with lesser mechanical parts. Since there are fewer parts, there’s less wear and tear on the motor and its components. That’s why these cars require less maintenance.

You won’t have to trouble yourself with gas kits, oil changes, clogged valves, etc. Since electric cars don’t have an internal combustion engine, these frequent costs are eliminated. However, these cars are not without their expenses. The largest spending cost for electric cars is their battery. As time goes by, the battery capacity wears out and your charging time between drives increases.

However, by that time, you can always switch to a newer model on the market with a new PCO rental contract.

a blue ID3 electric PCO car for hire

Congestion Charges With Electric Cars

There is a congestion charge in central London where you can’t enter a specific area between 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. These are peak operation times, and most people are going to offices from their homes or vice versa. And it’s a lucrative place to pick up customers. However, if you drive a traditional petrol vehicle, you can’t enter this zone. Otherwise, you’ll be fined £15 on the first day or £17.5 by midnight or the third day of the charge.

If you still don’t by the third day, you’ll receive a PCN Penalty Charge Notice. If you get this notice, the sooner you pay, the cheaper it’ll be. You can also challenge it within its payable date. The penalty charge costs £160, but it’ll be discounted to £80 if you pay the amount within 14 days. However, you’ll have 28 days to pay. But after 14 days, you’ll have to pay the full charge.

So if you drive an electric vehicle, you can enter the congestion zones and avoid the fines simultaneously. It will save you thousands of pounds a year.

a man driving a car

Get Kia E-Niro 2 PCOCarVehicle In London.

Now that you know how you can save money with the rising costs of living and PCO expenses in London, you can make the best decision for you and your family. If you’re looking for an affordable PCO car rental with electric vehicles for rent, check out G&M Direct Hire.

They’re a PCO car rental in London, offering traditional fuel, hybrid, and electric PCO cars for hire with insurance. Visit their website for more information on their fleet and services. You can also get in touch with them to book your new car as soon as possible