Looking to rent a vehicle? If you’re interested in taking something new out for a spin, some car rental companies now offer electric vehicles. In this blog post, well look at the ins and outs of renting an electric car.
Why Should I Rent?
One of the main reasons people rent a car is to drive around a new destination. When travelling, a car rental can be a convenient way to see everything on your itinerary at your own pace.
Aside from getting around on vacation, renting an electric car can also be a smart way to test out a new vehicle before buying it. If you’re on the fence about whether an EV is right for you, renting one could be the best way to ease your doubts.
How to Rent an EV
Before you pick out an EV rental, it’s a good idea to understand your options. Most EVs on the road today are battery-powered (BEVs) or hybrids (HEVs). Look at each and see what rental companies near you offer. Not every rental company has EVs in their fleet, so check their website, call ahead, or visit the physical location to confirm they have what you’re looking for.
The requirements electric car rentals in Ontario are usually the same as a gas-powered vehicle:
- Be at least 21 years old (drivers under 25 may face additional fees and have a limited selection of vehicles to choose from)
- Have a valid driver’s licence
- Provide proof of existing vehicle insurance
Also check out this article on how to protect yourself when renting a car.
Depending on their location and what’s in their fleet, some rental companies may have additional requirements for EV rentals.
What to Know About EV
Obviously, the major difference between a gas-powered vehicle and an EV is the fuel. It’s not difficult to learn how to charge an EV, but if you’re not used to driving one, you’ll have to learn to plan ahead to charge up as needed. If you’re taking your EV rental on a road trip, check out this article for more tips.
If you’ve never driven an EV before, you may wonder if it feels any different from a gas-powered vehicle. The driving experience and the way you handle the car will mostly be the same. Without a clutch, gearbox, or tailpipe, some people feel EVs offer a smoother ride and are quieter than those powered by internal combustion (ICE), but this can vary depending on which vehicles you compare. In any vehicle, you can adjust the way you drive to conserve fuel and get the most out of your rental.
You shouldn’t need to do any maintenance on a short-term rental, but if you’re going to rent an EV for a while, it doesn’t hurt to read into how to care for one.
Returning an EV Rental
When you rent an ICE vehicle, you’re expected to return it with a full tank. If you return the vehicle with too little gas, you may face additional fees. With EVs, this expectation can differ. Since it takes much longer to charge an EV battery than it does to fill a gas tank, most rental companies don’t expect customers to return vehicles fully charged. Some will expect the battery to be at a minimum of 10% or 20%, but you shouldn’t need to plug the vehicle in just to take it back. If you go for a hybrid rental, these expectations could differ.
Make sure to read all the terms and conditions of the company you choose to understand their policy for returning electric car rentals. For more information and tips about EVs, check out our blog.