Tag: renting

First time renting an EV? Here is your guide!

Renting an EV for the first time?

If you’re like me, I was nervous! I don’t own an EV, nor have I ever driven one. So, I have always been hesitant to rent one. Until the day came that all Avis had left was an EV. I had a ton of questions. I’m sure the customer service rep thought I have been living under a rock lol. The first EV I rented was a Chevy Bolt. I was so determined to make it work that I even Googled how to drive and charge it before I drove off the lot.

The driving mechanisms are the same as those of any car. It was the charging that had me nervous. Overall, my experience was good. Except for the fact it took 45 minutes to charge to 80% (more on this later). Since then I have rented a few different EVs. Each has its own pros and cons. But what’s truly exciting is the variety of rental car companies, each with its unique fleet, charges prices, and availability.

Im going to dive into my rental experiences and share some tips on how to plan your EV rental.

But first let’s start with the car rental companies.

Renting from Avis, Budget, and Hertz

So far, I have only rented an EV from these three companies. Price-wise, the daily rental price was pretty much the same as that of gas-powered vehicles. As many of you know, car rental prices fluctuate daily. Of course, the price difference is due to the category of the EV, which is similar to that of a gas vehicle. A Tesla is in a much higher vehicle category than, say, a Chevy Bolt. What also differs is their Charge Price Option (CPO), which is essentially a pre-paid charge similar to pre-paying for fuel in gas vehicles. Liability coverage is the same. They offer three protection packages. I personally opt out of these. My credit card covers my rental. So save the extra cost.

Let me share some insight from each rental company.

Hertz:

  • They tend to offer EV manager specials. These specials typically could be any EV of any category. Which can range from a Chevy, Kia, or Buicks.
  • Charge Price Option (CPO) is $28.
  • Return at the same battery level for no extra charges. If returned less than charge you got it in. Prices can range between $60-$70 plus. They will up charge per kWh.
  • They don’t offer Tesla rentals. At least the one I have rented, which is located in Burlingame, CA.
  • Check out their EV FAQ:

Avis:

  • On occasion they have offered specials on EVs which made the daily rental much cheaper than gas powered.
  • Charge Price Option (CPO) is $25.
  • Return battery level at least 70% or the same for no extra charges. If returned between 70% and 10% a fee of $35 is applied. If returned, less than 10% another $35 fee will be applied. Totally to $70 in charging fees.
  • They offer a wide range of EVs, such as Tesla, Mustang, Kia, and Chevy.
  • Check out their EV FAQ:

Budget:

  • I haven’t come across any specials for EVs.
  • Charge Price Option (CPO) is unknown. I wasn’t offer the option when I rented.
  • Return battery level at least 70% or the same for no extra charges. If returned between 70% and 10% a fee of $35 is applied. If returned, less than 10% another $35 fee will be applied. Totally to $70 in charging fees.
  • They offer Tesla’s and Chevy.
  • Check out their EV FAQ

My experience with different EV models. I’ll start with my first to least favorite.

Kia EV6:

  • Very spacious interior. It’s a midsize SUV.
  • Nice sporty body style.
  • Good battery life.
  • The charge took about 20-25 minutes, from 30% to 80%.
  • Here is YouTube guide on how to charge it

Kia Niro:

Tesla Model 3:

  • Fun gadgets. The dash board is cool.
  • Battery was mediocre
  • It charged the fastest. It took about 20-30 minutes to go from 20% to 80%.
  • The charging station guide has a nice touch. When you navigate to a supercharger station it tells you how many chargers are available to use at the station.
  • Here are instructions on how to charge it from the owners guide

Ford Mustang Mach E:

  • Roomy interior
  • It has a nice kick when you accelerate.
  • Terrible battery life.
  • The charging took about 30-35 minutes from 40% to 80%
  • Here is a YouTube guide on how to charge it

Chevy Bolt:

Some Tips

  1. If you’re going on a long drive, be aware of the nearest charging stations along your route.
  2. When charging your electric vehicle (EV), consider the amount of time it takes to fully charge. Depending on the battery level at the time you charge it. Some EV models charge faster than others. So make you sure you plan that time.
  3. Understand your car rental company’s battery level return policy to avoid excess charges.
  4. Learn how to charge your EV before driving off.
  5. Consider purchasing your rental company’s Charge Price Option (CPO) if you plan to return it near empty.

Conclusion

My overall experience has been good. The daily rental rate is no different from that of gas vehicles. However, I have been able to save on the total rental cost. Electric charging doesn’t cost as much as fuel. I have seen a cost savings of approximately $40 to $80 with electric vehicles (EVs) versus gas-powered cars. I’m sure I can improve my battery life if I adjust my driving style. EVs recharge as you drive. I’m very heavy-footed, so I tend to keep my foot on the accelerator, which uses up more battery power. Over time, this should improve as I drive more electric vehicles. Anyhow, if you are still hesitant to rent one, I totally understand how you feel. However, I say give it a shot. It isn’t as bad as you think.

Comment and share your EV rental experience. Till the next one!

Happy Travelz!