WhatsAppWhat’s the best type of PCO car to hire in London?
Deciding to be a PCO driver is the first step on what will likely be a highly rewarding journey. You get to set your own schedule, enjoy a high level of autonomy, and essentially be your own boss more generally – a set up that works exceptionally well for a lot of people.
It is, however, just the first step, and there are several other important decisions that you’ll need to make. One of these is deciding which kind of vehicle you will drive – there are plenty of different options, each coming with its own unique benefits.
Here, we go through some of the things you’ll want to think about, recommending some different models based on your professional and personal preferences.
Target audience
One basic thing you’ll need to think about is what kind of passenger you’ll be targeting.
If you’re looking to work as a more general driver, for ‘regular’ clients, then your best bet is to go with a standard, efficient and reliable hatchback. That could be something like a Toyota Prius Plugin, or a VW id3 Life Pro. These cars are comfortable, easy to operate, and are familiar to most people you’ll be driving.
If, on the other hand, you want to drive more ‘premium’ customers, you’ll want to go for a slightly more luxury vehicle. Potential options could include a BMW 530e M Sport or a 2025 Mercedes 300e amg line. You’ll spend more on the vehicle itself, but can charge around 2x as much per ride as you would with a more ‘standard’ spec vehicle.
For drivers looking to transport larger groups of people, or drive people to and from airports or train stations, often with a lot of baggage, you’ll want to go with a larger vehicle. That could be a larger saloon like a Skoda Superb SE Tech, or a mid-size SUV like a KIA Sorento 2.
Fuel efficiency
One of your biggest regular expenses as a PCO driver in London will be fuel. That being said, the vehicle that you choose will have a massive impact on how much it ends up costing you each year.
If you’re looking for maximum economy, then you’ll likely want to choose a hybrid plug-in vehicle or an EV. Good options in this category include the Toyota Prius for more regular driving uses, or a 2025 Mercedes 300e amg line for drivers who want to provide a more premium service.
When it comes to fuel efficiency, it’s worth looking at both the manufacturer specs and at driver-reported feedback on real world usage. You’ll also need to consider whether you’ll have access to electrical plug-in sites on your regular routes, to see if that kind of vehicle could be a viable option for you.
The charging infrastructure for cars has improved massively in recent years, especially in the capital, so most drivers should find that EVs and hybrid plug-ins will be workable solutions.
Cleaner Air Discount
As you may be aware, there is currently a 100% discount on both ULEZ and congestion charge on certain kinds of vehicles. That means that if you are driving either a fully electric or hydrogen fuel cell-powered car, you don’t have to pay either of these London surcharges.
That being said, the Cleaner Air Discount scheme is set for an overhaul on the 25th December 2025. After this date, EVs and hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars will no longer be eligible for a 100% discount. Instead, from the 25th December onwards, there will be a 25% discount available for electric cars registered on Auto Pay and a 50% discount on electric vans, HGVs and Quadricycles.
From the 4th March 2030, this discount will further reduce, to 12.5% for electric cars and 25% for vans, HGVs and quadricycles. While these discounts can still incentivise PCO drivers to choose eligible cars, it is not as powerful an incentive, and it’s important to consider whether or not it will end up being worth it.
Reliability
As a PCO driver, your income will be directly dependent on your vehicle’s reliability. As a result, it’s important to choose a vehicle that is unlikely to break down, if looked after properly. Japanese brands like Toyota and Mitsubishi are renowned for their reliability, however in recent years, the gap between these brands and others has narrowed.
If you’re leasing your car from a PCO rental company, this also becomes less important. The company you’re leasing from will likely be responsible for the car’s upkeep, and so long as you stick to the maintenance schedule and report any issues that you notice in good time, you should be kept on the road no matter what.
Personal preference
Of course, if you’re going to be driving a vehicle for over 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, you need to make sure that it’s something that you personally enjoy driving. If you can, test the vehicles that you’re considering going with before committing to a long lease or purchase.
Consider the driving position – you need to make sure that it suits your body type, and that you will be comfortable sitting in that position for hours at a time. If you want to have any specific features, like cruise control or lane departure warnings, then you’ll also need to factor these in. Thankfully, most modern cars come with these features nowadays, but it’s still important to check.
Mixing things up
If you’re leasing a car, you can also switch around a little bit. After your contract is up, you can swap in your vehicle for another model, and see if you get along with that one better. The main point is, you shouldn’t stick with a vehicle that you don’t find suitable for your needs for any longer than necessary.
Choosing the right car can take a bit of time, but it’s well worth it in the long run. It can have a big impact on your overall experience working as a PCO driver in London, and it isn’t worth rushing it.
Take a look at our main range of car brands that we have available for PCO Car Hire: