Dealer-based daily rental schemes could make a comeback as part of mobility packages sold around electric cars.

Motor industry consultancy Network Automotive said manufacturers and dealers need to tackle the issue of limited electric car range and offering inclusive on-demand conventional car rental is the best way of meeting that need, especially for one-vehicle families.

Managing director Colin Bruder said: "Many major manufacturers are bringing out electric vehicles over the next couple of years and most of them will have a range of no more than 100 miles, coupled with the need for an overnight charge.

"While the vast majority of commuting, shopping, family, social and other journeys can be met within this range, almost every motorist has a need to occasionally travel further, even if it is only once a month.

"Manufacturers and dealers need to tackle this issue and we believe that the obvious way forward is to sell electric cars as part of general mobility packages, including an allowance of rental days from a dealer-based scheme."

Bruder added: "We see a definite role for dealer based rental within a general mobility package. Dealer rental is an area in which interest has fallen off during the recession but we believe that there is great potential for profitability in this area in the future."

Longstanding benefits of dealer rental, including the ability to employ a scheme as a steady supply source for used stock, are also becoming more attractive to dealers, he said.