Onto Discount Codes July 2025

EVs Without the Strings: Is Onto’s Subscription Model the Future of Driving?

Owning a car has never been cheap, but in the era of electric vehicles (EVs), the financial maths gets even trickier: high upfront costs, fluctuating insurance rates, and the still-unfolding reality of public charging infrastructure. UK-based startup Onto thinks it has a solution, packaging the whole EV experience into a single monthly subscription.

For a fixed fee, subscribers get access to an electric car - insurance, servicing, roadside assistance, and even public charging included. There’s no deposit, no long-term commitment, and, in theory, no hassle. It’s Netflix, but for cars. At least that’s the pitch.

Convenience, or Just a Different Kind of Cost?

Onto makes one of its biggest plays on convenience. Customers select a car online, and Onto delivers it to their door, free of charge. If at any point they want to swap models, returning the vehicle is reportedly just as simple. The setup lowers the usual barriers to EV adoption: no dealer negotiations, no complex financing, no need to worry about depreciation.

But that simplicity comes with structure. Unlike true ownership, where you’re free to keep a car for as long as it runs - or as long as you can tolerate it - Onto vehicles must be returned if you cancel the subscription. There’s flexibility, but it is neatly contained within the company’s own terms.

Who’s Actually Signing Up?

Since launching in 2017, Onto has targeted eco-conscious drivers, urban professionals, and those wary of long-term financial commitments. The fleet includes small city cars like the Renault Zoe and more premium options like the Tesla Model 3, catering to a range of budgets and tastes.

But the idea of paying a rolling fee for a car isn’t universally appealing; traditional ownership still makes financial sense for those who plan to keep a vehicle long-term. Subscription is fundamentally a rental model, albeit one where the fine print includes perks like free rapid charging at partner networks. Whether those perks justify the monthly costs - sometimes north of £1,000 for premium models - depends on a driver’s specific needs.

Discounts? Some, If You’re Paying Attention

Onto does occasionally roll out promotions, offering reduced rates or referral codes that shave some pounds off the first month’s fee. The best way to catch these is by checking their website (on.to) or keeping an eye on seasonal promos.

The deals, however, tend to be short-term. Unlike the traditional car market, where negotiation can knock thousands off a sticker price, Onto’s pricing is set. You either accept the terms, or you don’t subscribe.

The Verdict: A Step Forward, But Not for Everyone

Onto’s model removes some of the more painful aspects of car ownership - all those unpredictable costs bundled neatly into a subscription. For drivers hesitant to commit to EVs, or those who need a short-term solution, it’s an option that makes practical sense. But for anyone looking for long-term savings, the maths gets murkier. Subscriptions are rarely the cheapest way to access something you use every day.

The EV revolution is coming, whether drivers subscribe to it or not. For now, Onto is betting that convenience, not ownership, is what consumers really want.

What you need to know