Zimi has announced a partnership with Boutique Leasing Solutions (BLS) to provide a solution for South African businesses seeking to electrify their commercial fleets through flexible finance models, enabling a transition without the burden of heavy upfront capital expenditure.
The partnership merges Zimi’s end-to-end EV implementation expertise with BLS’s specialised fleet leasing structures. By replacing traditional purchasing with Full Maintenance Leases (FMLs) and Operating Leases (OPLs), companies can transition their fleets from diesel to electric while preserving vital working capital for core operations. This enables businesses to adopt the future of transport through a predictable, fixed-cost operational expense rather than a heavy capital outlay.
Historically, the biggest barrier to electric mobility hasn't just been the upfront capital; it has been the operational uncertainty and the complex change management required to make the switch," says Michael Maas, CEO and founder of Zimi. "By blending our ecosystem with BLS's asset models, we have turned a complex infrastructure transition into a plug-and-play reality. We take on the operational custody of the hardware, energy, and data so that fleet managers can focus on their routes, with zero downtime."
A major hurdle in corporate EV adoption has been the uncertainty regarding battery longevity and future resale values. This partnership removes the residual value risk for fleets. Under the FML structure, Zimi and BLS carry the depreciation and resale risk, allowing businesses to operate the vehicles and easily upgrade to the latest technology at the end of their lease term. By absorbing this risk, the partnership drives long-term cost savings and provides fleet operators with peace of mind: “We carry the depreciation, you carry the cargo”.
Businesses can adopt the EV experience with the full, hands-on support of the Zimi team, who oversee everything from charging infrastructure installation to software integration. Zimi acts as the single partner for "Everything EV," ensuring that the shift from diesel to electric is seamless and optimised for profit from day one. "Our relationship with Zimi reflects our commitment to delivering innovative solutions to the South African fleet market," says John Loxton, Managing Director of BLS.
