Choosing The Right PCO Car for Your Driving Style in 2024

The bustling streets of London offer you a glistening opportunity to generate and enjoy a steady income by working as a PCO driver. London’s PCO industry is booming by the day.

Its competitiveness can also be gauged by the fact that the number of PCO drivers grew from just 59,000 in 2009 to a whopping 280,000 in 2019. That’s why you must try to make well-informed decisions when kick-starting your PCO career, starting with getting a PCO licence and choosing the right PCO car for rent! With over 260,700 licensed taxis and PHVs in 2022, it’s safe to say that modern-day PCO drivers have a lot of options in London when choosing a car for their driving styles. So we’re here to help you understand the ins and outs of choosing a PCO car rental that suits your driving style and helps you bag more bucks every day.

So let’s get started.

1. Transmission Type

While you might have heard about getting the basic PCO car elements such as the shape, size, and comfort right when choosing a PCO car rental, your car’s transmission is the most critical functional quality that can significantly impact your driving style and comfort on the road. A car’s transmission allows the driver to control their driving with or without having to change gears.

We recommend PCO drivers opt for an automatic transmission-powered PCO car rental to enjoy smooth sailing. It offers a seamless driving experience without having to control and manage the gears repeatedly. However, if you prefer having more control over your car, you can also opt for a manual transmission type.

2. Suspension

Suspension is another key factor that plays a vital role in determining whether or not a PCO car rental suits your driving style. If you’re interested in offering long-distance rides or airport transfers, we recommend you opt for a PCO car with sturdy and tough suspension. It helps you maintain your car’s performance when carrying luggage or cruising on rough roads.

On the other hand, if you’re a PCO driver who prioritises comfort and smooth rides, choose a softer suspension car for easier vehicular control and handling.

3. Steering The next thing you should look for when choosing a PCO car for rent in London is its steering. This function can make or break your driving experience on London’s busy roads. A car’s steering system and its supporting features can affect a driver’s responsiveness. A nimble and more quick-to-action steering is suitable for PCO drivers in urban areas. For example, the electric Kia E-Niro features pedal shifter steering AKA i-Pedal, which allows drivers to change gears without removing a hand from the steering. This automatically translates into safer and quicker gear shifts. Check out our electric PCO car fleet for more efficient PCO car rental options such as the Kia Niro 2 EV, Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID3, MG5 Exclusive, etc.

However, you can also opt for a softer, more laid-back steering system car for smaller, relaxed rides.

4. Condition and Mileage

The condition of your new PCO car rental can also affect your comfort, safety, and driving experience in London. While your best bet is to pick a brand-new PCO car for rent at G&M Direct Hire, you can also opt for a driven PCO car provided in excellent condition.

In addition, pay attention to your PCO car’s mileage as it determines fuel efficiency and driving smoothness. Older cars typically have higher mileage, whereas newer cars offer lower mileage with excellent retaining value and fuel performance. 5. Mileage of an Electric PCO Car For best results, go for an all-electric PCO car rental as they offer significant advantages over regular gasoline or petrol-powered cars in London. Electric PCO cars are efficient. They ensure lower fuel costs, higher sustainability, taxes ULEZ charges exemption, and many other benefits for PCO drivers in London.  

However, when choosing an electric PCO car, assess its mileage value to ascertain how far the car can go on a single charge. This value depends on the car’s battery type, driver’s habits, and road conditions. But ideally, a good EV offers around 80 to 400 mileage value on a single charge. We strongly suggest PCO drivers improve their driving habits and optimize driving speed, temperature, and air conditioning usage in their electric PCO cars to enjoy a better mileage value.

6. Braking System

Generating and applying braking force is a key determinant of a car’s performance.

It can vary from vehicle to vehicle, but when choosing a PCO car for rent, you should opt for a vehicle that offers regenerative braking systems. Conventional cars typically use hydraulic power to generate and apply braking force. Once you hit the brakes, the force is pressed against rotors and drums to pause wheel movement.

On the other hand, an all-electric car features an advanced regenerative braking system, which converts kinetic energy into electrical energy to stop a car and stores the excess power in the car’s battery. This particular braking system can help you boost your car’s efficiency and reduce repair costs. Get In Touch With Us to Rent the Most Efficient PCO Cars in London! Ready to rent your first PCO car in London? At G&M Direct Hire, you can find a wide range of high-quality PCO cars, from hatchbacks to sedans. Our fleet consists of hybrid and all-electric PCO vehicles Toyota Prius, Kia E-Niro, Mustang Mach-E, and more. You can either choose our PCO car rentals for a short period or on a long-term basis, depending on your schedule and usage rate.

What’s more, we’re a London-based PCO car rental company that offers flexible pay PCO drivers with MOT-cleared and fully inspected PCO vehicles once, etc.

Check out our FAQ section for more details, or call us to rent a PCO car right away!