Renting an EV: What you need to know
Quick insights
- Renting an electric vehicle (EV) involves a similar process to renting a traditional car with a few additional considerations.
- Charging an EV rental is a responsibility that renters should be prepared for.
- Renting an EV can be a great way to test out driving an electric vehicle before making a purchase.
Thinking about taking an electric vehicle for a spin? Whether you're considering an extended test drive before a purchase or looking for a greener alternative for your next rental car, an EV rental can be a great option. Let's plug in and explore what you need to know.
How does renting an electric car work?
Renting an EV is similar to renting a traditional car. You can book online or in person, and you'll need a valid driver's license and credit card. Some rental companies have specific EV options that you can choose at the time of booking.
What you need to know about renting an electric car
There are some things to consider with EV rentals that differ from traditional gas-powered cars. Here are a few of the more important ones:
- Charging time: Charging an EV can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours depending on the charger type and how depleted the battery is. You’ll want to factor charging time into your travel plans and potentially plan specific charging stops ahead of time.
- Charging cost: While some charging stations are free, many—including the fastest Type 3 chargers—typically charge a fee. As a general rule, the faster the charge, the higher the cost. This cost is usually the renter's responsibility.
- Driving experience: Driving an EV can be a bit different from driving a traditional car. For example, EVs have instant torque for quick acceleration and regenerative braking which can slow the car down when you lift off the accelerator. This faster acceleration and unexpected braking can feel very different from what you may be used to.
- Charging stops: Before you rent, check the charging infrastructure in your area or along your planned route. Some rental companies provide information or can recommend apps to help locate charging stations. You may want to find out the range of the EV you're renting. Most modern EVs have a range of 150-400 miles on a full charge. Plan your trips and charging stops accordingly.
- Charging connector: Before you rent an EV, it's a good idea to check what type of charging connector it uses and plan your charging stops accordingly. Most EVs come with a cable for Type 2 charging, but for fast charging, you'll need to use a compatible charging station. The options include Tesla, CCS and CHAdeMO, and they are usually not compatible with each other.
Do you have to recharge an electric car rental?
If you're renting an EV, you'll need to recharge it, just like you'd refuel a traditional car. The rental company may provide some charge to start but you'll need to recharge based on your usage. The frequency and duration of these charging stops will depend on the length of your trip, the speed of the charger and the range of your rental EV.
Type 2 chargers are likely to be less expensive or even complimentary, but they also typically charge at a slow rate of 10 to 60 miles of range per hour of charging. Type 3 or DC Fast chargers, on the other hand, can provide more than 50 to 100 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes of charging. While more convenient, they can also cost much more, from $0.20 per kilowatt hour (kWh) on the low end to more than $0.60 pe kWh on the high end.
Should I rent an electric car?
Renting an EV can be a great way to try out electric driving before making a purchase. It can be a more environmentally friendly option for travel; however, you'll need to be prepared for the unique aspects of EV driving such as planning for charging.
The bottom line
Whether you're considering buying an EV or renting one for a trip, an EV can be a great alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. It involves similar processes to renting a traditional car but with a few additional considerations like planning for charging. With a bit of preparation, renting an EV can be a smooth and enjoyable experience.
