The range of corporate benefits for our own employees is becoming ever more diverse. The use of e-bikes in particular is becoming increasingly popular. On the one hand, they are a climate-neutral alternative to company cars, and on the other, electric bicycles offer excellent tax-saving models for companies. At the same time, employees benefit from such environmentally friendly offers from their employer, for example in the form of a mobility budget. But what is more worthwhile: buy or lease? Which providers for e-bikes are there in Berlin? We have the most important information about e-bike sharing vs. e-bike buying compiled for you.
What are the advantages of e-bikes for companies?
Companies that choose to purchase or use e-bikes consciously focus on environmental friendliness and sustainability. At the same time, they want to offer their employees a flexible form of mobility so that they can comfortably cover their daily commute to and from work. For employees, the free use of company e-bikes is a nice extra, which they receive in addition to their regular salary as a so-called corporate benefit. While you do not have to pay anything for the purchase or regular use of the electric bike, you are always mobile. This mobility enables more flexible working hours, since employees are not dependent on traffic jams or public transport timetables. At the same time, employees' motivation increases because they benefit from monetary benefits.
But the offer of e-bikes also offers a whole range of advantages for companies: Employee bonuses ensure that the company strengthens its employer branding, i.e. its image vis-à-vis its existing employees and potential new colleagues. In addition, e-bikes for companies offer great tax savings for companies, since the state finances such employee offers. For both companies and their employees, this means in plain language that both sides save taxes.
The use of e-bikes also reduces the costs for company parking spaces, while at the same time reducing sick leave. After all, the employees exercise in the fresh air every day, which generally reduces sick days significantly. E-bikes are also ideal as advertising media. The company's own electric bikes can be recognized everywhere with the company logo, which in turn increases the level of awareness and the positive image of the company.
Electric bicycles represent an attractive alternative to the classic company car. They offer a lot of potential for sustainability and environmental protection and are therefore an important part of climate protection. That is why more and more companies are opting for climate-neutral mobility, so that the demand for e-bikes in Berlin, as in many other German cities, is constantly increasing. An important consideration should first be whether it makes more sense to buy e-bikes or pedelecs for employees or to use one of the numerous leasing and sharing offers. In addition to well-known providers such as Uber, Donkey Republic and Nextbike, there are a variety of other sharing options in the capital.
E-bikes - sharing or buying better?
There are now a large number of providers where you can buy high-quality e-bikes for your company. Alternatively, in the past few years, several providers have become established that specialize in leasing and sharing electric bicycles. Both variants have their advantages and disadvantages. Which option is better for companies depends on various factors. In addition to the financial aspect, the size of the company or the number of employees who are to be equipped with an e-bike also decide whether to buy or rent.
Buying e-bikes - what are the advantages and disadvantages?
If a company decides to buy e-bikes and pedelecs, the greatest advantage is the flexible use. As an environmentally friendly way of getting around, companies can also save a lot of taxes. On the other hand, the company can take over the management of the e-bikes itself and is therefore extremely flexible when it comes to the distribution and use of the bikes. The clear disadvantage, however, is the comparatively high purchase price, especially if many e-bikes are to be purchased at once. In addition, the entire administration effort lies with the entrepreneur. From purchasing to managing users to maintenance and repairs of defective e-bikes - if you buy e-bikes, you have to take care of it yourself.
To what extent do companies benefit from e-bike sharing?
With e-bike sharing, the high purchase costs for the bikes are eliminated. Special e-bike leasing companies provide high-quality electric bicycles so that a large number of employees can be equipped with e-bikes and pedelecs at short notice. The management of the use of all e-bikes is easy via apps, so that companies that use e-bike sharing generally always have a reliable overview of all electric bikes used. But not only the administrative effort has advantages; E-bike sharing providers also take on maintenance and repair work. The only notable disadvantage of e-bike sharing is that you pay money for the use without the bikes later becoming the property of the company. However, anyone who thinks this form of leasing is good will certainly find a whole range of other advantages in e-bike sharing.
Which providers for e-bikes and pedelecs are there in Berlin?
The US provider Mobike is one of the world's largest providers of e-bike sharing. Berlin is one of the locations of its successful bike rental service among the 200 cities. In addition, companies such as Uber Jump, Donkey Republic and the German company Nextbike in the capital also offer the opportunity to move around Berlin's streets in an environmentally friendly manner. Another major player on the German sharing market is Deutsche Bahn, which sells its offer in cooperation with supermarket giants like Lidl or in collaboration with Ford rental bicycles. However, lesser-known brands such as the Danish bicycle rental company Donkey Republic are continuously expanding their sharing offer in Berlin and in over 50 other cities across Europe.
