All Electric Chauffeur Services has launched a short-term vehicle rental product for fleets to try their Tesla Model S vehicles on a real-world basis.

Strong demand from the corporate sector, London hotels and wealthy individuals means that the fleet is due to double in size in the coming weeks with the company planning to operate a 25-strong fleet of 100% electric cars by early next year.

Corporate and private sector demand for plug-in vehicles is rising dramatically with registrations up almost 140% in the first nine months of 2015 versus the same period last year, according to latest SMMT figures.

However, All Electric Chauffeur Services believes that demand could be even greater if fleet decision-makers and company car drivers were able to test drive plug-in cars in real-world driving conditions - including experiencing the recharging process - over a 36 or 48-hour period or even longer on special request.

All Electric Chauffeur Services’ director Jonathan Rowley said: “In our experience it is typically only possible to borrow a plug-in vehicle for a short period of time from a manufacturer or a dealer, which gives fleets very little opportunity to ‘live’ with the car and truly experience its performance and capabilities.”

As a result, through All Electric Chauffeur Services’ parent company Berkeley Square Vehicle Solutions, the corporate sector as well as retail customers are now able to hire one of the company’s Tesla cars with day rates available on application.

The car will be provided fully charged and hirers will only have to add the vehicle to their own insurance and return it fully charged. A chauffeur can be provided if required.

Rowley said: “We are witnessing clear demand for plug-in vehicles from our chauffeur customers. Having sampled a journey in one of our cars many of those people want to know more about the vehicles and believe they can suit their own lifestyle. However, before making a purchasing decision either on behalf of their business or personally they want to live with a vehicle for a short period of time. We have therefore designed a short-term hire solution to meet that demand.”

The hire service will initially operate inside the M25. Vehicle delivery to customers includes a comprehensive familiarisation package.

Rowley concluded: “The government is spending millions of pounds in encouraging demand for plug-in vehicles through purchasing grants and the funding of recharging points nationwide. What’s more we have seen in recent weeks with the furore over diesel vehicle emissions that air quality is a major concern for many people.

“Plug-in vehicles have a major role to play in fleets today and in the future and our new hire initiative provides businesses - as well as retail customers - with the stepping stone to a cleaner driving future.”