The Rise of Electric Rental Cars
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly common in rental fleets, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia. Major rental companies like Hertz, Enterprise, and Sixt now offer EVs alongside traditional petrol and diesel cars in many locations. For travelers, this means a new set of considerations — from charging logistics to range planning — that can make or break your trip if you're not prepared.
Advantages of Renting an Electric Car
Lower fuel costs: Electricity is typically 50–70% cheaper than petrol or diesel per kilometer. On a 2,000 km road trip, fuel savings can reach €100–200 compared to a conventional car.
Smooth, quiet driving: EVs offer instant torque, no gear changes (always automatic), and a noticeably quieter cabin — making long drives more relaxing.
Environmental benefits: Zero tailpipe emissions and lower carbon footprint, especially when charged from renewable energy sources.
Access to restricted zones: Many European cities (London's ULEZ, Paris's ZCR, Rome's ZTL) charge conventional cars for entry but exempt EVs.
Challenges and Limitations
Range anxiety: Most rental EVs have a real-world range of 250–400 km per charge. In a petrol car, you'd barely think about this. In an EV, it means planning your charging stops, especially in rural areas with sparse charging infrastructure.
Charging time: A fast charger (50–150 kW) can add 80% charge in 30–60 minutes. Slower chargers (7–22 kW) take 4–8 hours. This means charging is either a short stop during lunch or an overnight process at your hotel — not the 5-minute refuel you're used to.
Charging infrastructure gaps: While cities and motorways in Western Europe have good fast-charging coverage, rural areas, islands, and less-developed countries may have limited or unreliable charging options. Iceland, Greece, and parts of Southern Italy are particularly challenging.
Charging costs can be confusing: Different charging networks have different pricing structures — some charge per kWh, others per minute, and some require subscriptions or app downloads. The rental company should brief you on which networks are included in your rental, if any.
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Plan your charging stops: Use apps like PlugShare, A Better Route Planner, or Chargemap to find charging stations along your route. Plan to charge during meals and hotel stays to minimize time spent waiting.
Understand the return policy: Some rental companies require you to return the car with a minimum charge level (e.g., 25% or 50%). Others handle charging themselves and charge you a fee. Clarify this at pickup to avoid surprise charges.
Check for charging cards/access: Ask the rental company if the car comes with a charging card or app access for the major networks at your destination. Without one, you may be limited to public chargers that accept contactless payment.
Factor in weather: Cold weather reduces EV range by 20–40%. If you're renting in winter, adjust your range expectations accordingly and plan more frequent charging stops.
Use PlugShare or A Better Route Planner (ABRP) to map charging stations along your route.
Best Destinations for EV Rentals
Norway is the world leader in EV infrastructure and rental availability. The Netherlands, Germany, France, and the UK also have extensive fast-charging networks. In Asia, Japan and South Korea are well-equipped. The US has good coverage along major corridors but gaps in rural areas.
Destinations where EV rentals are less practical include most of Africa, rural Southeast Asia, remote islands, and any destination where charging infrastructure is still developing. For these locations, a conventional rental remains the safer choice.