Autonomy has launched its electric vehicle subscription service in Fresno. Photo via Autonomy Facebook page

A new electric vehicle subscription service has expanded into Fresno with a goal to get residents into a Tesla Model 3 for less than a lease or financed purchase.

Santa Monica-based Autonomy bills itself as offering “the cheapest, fastest and easiest way to get a Tesla Model 3.” It recently expanded its subscription service into Sacramento, Orange County and San Diego as well as Fresno. A San Francisco Bay Area debut came in March, and the commercial launch in Los Angeles in January was successful, according to a news release.

In promoting its Fresno launch, the company cited a goal set out by local governments to expand electric vehicle adoption.

“Our mission at its core is to get more people into electric vehicles,” said Scott Painter, founder and CEO of Autonomy. “The Fresno Council of Governments recently set out an Electric Vehicle readiness plan to boost EV adoption, and do away with barriers to electrification. Fresno County has seen a lower penetration rate of electric vehicles compared to the California average. Autonomy is here to increase EV adoption and in turn, improve the overall quality of life of Fresnans.”

Painter is also the founder of automotive price and information website TrueCar.

With new pricing announced in March, subscribers can reserve a Model 3 via Autonomy’s app or website after a $100 refundable deposit. A payment dial allows customers to personalize subscriptions from as low as $490 per month with an initial $4,900 start fee, to $1,000 per month with an initial $1,000 start fee, according to a news release. A $500 refundable security deposit is required when the subscription is activated.

Autonomy’s monthly payment covers the traditional costs of ownership, including annual registration and licensing fees, routine maintenance, roadside assistance and standard wear and tear on tires —all additional expenses with a traditional lease or loan, according to the release.

Autonomy drivers can subscribe on a month-to-month basis after a three-month minimum commitment. The platform is a viable market option for those who do not want or cannot afford the long-term commitment of buying or leasing an electric car, according to the release.

An additional advantage is the company’s fleet of Model 3s are available for delivery within weeks, compared with the six- to nine-month wait for a lease or loan, according to the release.

To subscribe, users can download the Autonomy app in the app store (it’s coming soon to Android, according to the release). User can then scan their driver’s license and digital form of payment, make their first payment through the app and schedule a pickup or delivery.