Volkswagen started on Wednesday its first electric vehicle subscription service, offering customers the chance to drive its ID.3 and ID.4 all-electric vehicles for as little as €499 ($483.6) per month.

Under the so-called Volkswagen AutoAbo scheme, over 2,000 BEVs will be made available in Germany. Customers have the option of 3-month or 6-month minimum contracts, which cover everything but fuel, Kallanish learns.

The all-inclusive electric driving service is described by Klaus Zellmer, board member for sales and marketing at VW as a “mid-way between leasing and car sharing.” It covers 800 free kilometres each month with a full-service package, including registration, tests, maintenance and service, insurance and road tax.

“A growing number of people don’t want to own a vehicle permanently, but would like the exclusive use of one for a defined period,” says Zellmer, noting the new subscription scheme is flexible. “We estimate that, by 2030, around 20% of our revenue could come from subscriptions and other short-term mobility offerings.”

The launch marks VW’s transformation from car manufacturer to a mobility services provider, the company says in a statement. By year-end, the company will be marketing its online leasing and sales offering in its home country of Germany, starting with the ID. models. At a later stage, this will be expanded to combustion engine and hybrid vehicles.

VW didn’t say when the services will be available in other markets.