Europcar has enhanced its fixed rate long term rental solution, offering vehicles from £317 per month.

Europcar Long Term Hire was designed to take the unknown out of car ownership – there’s no depreciation or maintenance to worry about.

Customers can rent a vehicle with a monthly mileage allowance of 2,520 for £317 per month with a £70 deposit.

“With the cost of car ownership set to increase significantly, thanks to the new Vehicle Excise Duty rules and hikes in insurance costs, many motorists must be wondering how they can stay on the road”, explained Gary Smith, managing director, Europcar UK Group.

“We’re tackling that challenge with a longer term car hire solution that doesn’t require any long-term commitment.”

Analysis has shown that Europcar Long Term Hire provides motorists with a genuine alternative to other forms of car ownership, whilst still being competitively priced.

For a vehicle such as a Peugeot 208, over a year, a high mileage driver could expect to pay £8,470 with Europcar Long Term Hire. To lease this vehicle for the same period would cost £1,043 more.

Europcar believes its flexible new solution provides motorists with an ideal alternative to car ownership, maintenance and servicing costs. And unlike car ownership or leasing where the driver is stuck with the same car for years, they can change the vehicle every month. Whether drivers would like to take advantage of the warmer weather in the summer and hire a convertible, or a compact vehicle for the winter months, Europcar Long Term Hire provides flexibility year round.

“With research commissioned by Europcar identifying that half of UK car owners spend 10% of their monthly income on running their car but use it for less than an hour a day, Europcar Long Term Hire could provide a helpful boost to disposable income”, added Gary Smith.

“Especially as news of increases in insurance premiums as well as the new Vehicle Excise Duty will put an even greater financial burden on motoring.

Customers using Europcar Long Term Hire can book and rent their car immediately, with no forms or credit checks - just a simple credit card payment. It’s ideal for motorists who don’t want to be pinned down to the long-term commitment of car ownership. Picking from a fleet that, on average, is less than six months old and with no yearly contract, customers can either change their vehicle every month or keep the same car for three months at a time and have a free monthly valet.”