Frequently Asked Questions
Octopus brings you a whole new way to get a car you love, with fewer worries and more savings. Here are all the details on how the program works.
What is a car lease?
A car lease is similar to a long-term rental agreement or subscription. You are allowed to use the car for a pre-specified number of miles over a set period of time in exchange for a monthly payment. At the end of the lease, you return the car to the car owner, in this case, Octopus EV.
Is this like a normal car lease?
Yes. When you get a car from Octopus it's a normal car lease, with some features and terms to make it more driver-friendly than a traditional lease from a dealer. You'll keep the same car for the duration of your plan..
What does it mean that you provide “pre-owned” EVs?
We only lease EVs that have already lived a little, but they all have a lot of life left - they’re pre-vetted, have a clean vehicle history, and have a healthy battery. We even take care of all routine maintenance, offer a free extended warranty, and replace the tires as needed.
What is the difference between your vehicle listings and Octo CarFinder?
Electric car inventory with our dealer partners shows you all the cars in your area that can be leased through Octopus. We work with vetted dealers and pre-select electric car models with 200+ miles of range, that come in great condition, and have clean histories and a healthy EV battery. You can choose the exact car you want and test drive it before signing your lease. If you don’t see the right car in our dealer partner inventory, Octo CarFinder is our specialized service that will find a car for you! You tell us the model you want and the color(s) you like and we do the rest. We’ll even deliver the car to your doorstep - all for free. Note: we can only search for a car for you by model and color, not more detailed specs. This option is perfect for you if you have some flexibility and can wait a few weeks for us to source a car for you.
With Octo CarFinder, can you find me a specific car?
No, you get to specify the model and color, but choose the rest. But don't fret - all our vehicles go through a rigorous 125-point inspection, come with a healthy battery, and have a clean history.
How do I know what specs and features will be on my car from Octopus?
We only lease electric car models with 200+ miles of range, that come in great condition, and have clean histories and a healthy EV battery. For cars leased through our dealer partners, you can get full vehicle details from your EV Specialist or directly from the dealer. You’ll be able to seeall the car’s details, including the VIN, vehicle history, and photos. For cars leased through Octo Car Finder, we’ll share full details including the VIN, vehicle history, and photos ahead of delivery to get the green light to bring it to you. We guarantee that your car will come with the technology and features indicated when you select your plan. (See each car’s page for details). If you have questions about trim and features offered, ask your EV Specialist. If anything changes between your order and when your car is ready, we’ll contact you to make sure you’ll still be happy with the car.
What does it mean to choose a mileage tier for my plan?
You’ll choose a plan for the miles you expect to drive each year. Your EV Specialist can help you figure out what to choose. At the end of your lease term, if your miles driven exceeds the cumulative mileage tier, you’ll pay a per mile Excess Miles fee. The exact amount will be in your quote. Our rate is lower than new EV leases.
Can I change my annual lease mileage plan?
On an annual basis, you can increase or decrease your annual mileage tier. Your monthly payment will adjust accordingly.
Can I change the length of my lease?
If you want to keep the car for longer, you can extend your plan and go month-to-month. If you need to return it early, you can return your car any time after the first 12 months with our Early Return Fee. Contact your dedicated EV Specialist for more information or to initiate a return.
Can I return my car early?
For cars leased from our dealer partners, you can return your car any time after the first 12 months with our flat Early Return Fee. Contact your dedicated EV Specialist for more information or to initiate a return. For cars leased through our Octo CarFinder program, because we find the car for you, you'll have 3 days from the start of your lease to return the car and cancel your plan, no questions asked. The car just needs to be in the same condition as when we delivered it. If you want to switch to a different car option, we'll bring you a new one and you can start a new lease for that vehicle.
What does it mean that tires and maintenance are included?
Your lease includes all manufacturer recommended scheduled maintenance, plus new tires when needed. We will inform you of when scheduled maintenance is needed. You are simply responsible for scheduling the visit from our mobile mechanic service in a timely way. The mobile mechanic will do a full inspection including of the tires, to determine if they need replacing based on wear. in case they need replacing. You're also responsible for watching to see if tires need to be replaced in between mobile mechanic visits.
How do you provide unlimited free home EV charging?
If you choose to add Octopus Energy as your home electricity provider alongside your lease, we measure how much of your home energy goes to charging your car. We issue you credit you on your energy bill for that amount. You don't need to do anything else to earn your credit. Technology is amazing!
What warranty/repair coverage is included?
If your car from Octopus needs repairs that would be covered by a manufacturer warranty, these are covered in your lease, no matter the age or odometer of your vehicle. If repairs are needed, we’ll direct you to a certified service center
What does “mobile maintenance” mean?
Your lease includes scheduled maintenance and minor repairs via mobile mechanic. Our maintenance partner comes to you at your home or work! You simply schedule when it’s convenient for you. Please note, the mobile mechanic service is not roadside assistance. In the event of an emergency you should call roadside assistance provided by your insurance or separate roadside assistance membership.
Who handles registration and DMV paperwork?
We’ll take care of registration and other DMV paperwork for you before we bring your car to you. You'll receive registration renewal information when your registration is up for renewal after a year.
Are there any other fees or charges?
No! Car leases often include a fee of $300-400 or more at lease end called a “Disposition Fee.” An Octopus lease doesn’t include this.
Can I purchase the car at the end of my plan?
We do not currently offer customers the option to purchase the vehicle at the end of the plan.
Can I include an EV charger installation in my lease?
Yes! If you choose, we facilitate a high quality EV charger installation by a licensed electrician through our partner Treehouse. We’ll then bill you in installments over the course of your lease. At the end of your lease, it’s yours to keep!
How do I arrange an EV charger installation for my home?
When you select your car and plan, check the box that you’re interested in a home EV charger. You’ll get access to our partner portal to receive a firm online quote. A trusted licensed electrician will contact you to arrange and carry out installation.
Will your pre-qualification impact my credit?
To prequalify for an Octopus EV Lease, we will do a soft credit check. A soft credit check is a type of credit inquiry that does not impact your credit score. We will only do a hard credit check when you are ready to move forward with your lease and have given us written consent.
EV Savings Calculator
Find out how much you can save by switching to electric with an electric car from Octopus. A typical Texas driver can save $1,000+ per year.
EV Readiness Quiz
Answer 8 questions about where you drive and we’ll give you a 0-100 score for how convenient it’ll be to drive electric. (We think you’ll ace it!)
Get Answers from an EV Specialist
Cut through confusion and get answers for your EV questions with a free chat with an Octopus EV Specialist.