Quick & Easy Guide to Renting an Electric Car

Have you thought about renting an electric car for your next big adventure? Renting EV cars offers a unique and exciting experience. Electric vehicles are great when you’re going on a road trip, need temporary transportation, or want to see what all the fuss is about.

If you’re considering renting an electric car, you likely have questions. Don’t worry because Budget is here to help. This page will provide answers to all your EV questions. 

What It’s Like to Drive an Electric Vehicle

Before we jump into how to rent an electric car, let’s talk about what it’s like to drive one. Driving an electric vehicle is similar to driving an automatic gas-powered car, with a few key differences.

While pedals and drive mode selectors are similar to an automatic vehicle, EVs only have one gear, so they accelerate far more quickly. Additionally, because there are no engine combustions, they run quietly. So quietly, in fact, that some EV brands have begun adding artificial noises to help those who gauge their acceleration and braking on engine noise.

Electric vehicles also feature regenerative braking, an in-car technology that recharges some of the car’s battery as the vehicle slows down by capturing and converting the kinetic energy caused by braking. Additionally, some EV models include features like:

• Touchscreens
• Additional safety features
• HEPA filtration systems to keep pollution, bacteria, pollen, and more out of the cabin
• Auto-opening doors 

How to Charge an Electric Vehicle

When renting an electric car, you’ll need to know how and where to charge the vehicle, especially if you’re going on a long-distance trip. Fortunately, there are already more than 40,000 public charging stations nationwide. Some stations are free, but many charge a fee. However, these fees are typically much lower than gasoline costs.

Many EV models display on-screen battery status; some will even help direct you to a charging station when your battery dips below a certain percentage. Otherwise, you can search for nearby charging stations online or by using a dedicated mobile app like ChargeHub or PlugShare.

There are currently three levels of chargers, but if you’re renting an electric car, you’ll likely only use Level 2 or 3. Level 2 chargers are the most common, and while not every charging station is created equal, they will generally add around 20 miles per hour. Level 3 chargers can add 10–20 miles per minute.  

Special Considerations When Renting an EV

Renting EV cars offers a unique and exciting experience, but there are some special considerations you’ll need to make when renting one, including:

1. EV vehicles are popular rental options and are limited to select Budget locations. Therefore, it’s best to book in advance to ensure availability for your next trip.
2. You’ll want to plan ahead on road trips so you have charging locations and time built into your itinerary. Additionally, learning about a rental car’s range beforehand will ensure you have plenty of range to reach charging station destinations.
3. After picking up your EV rental, take a few minutes to get to know the instruments before you drive, especially in a Tesla. Additionally, familiarize yourself with in-car features to fully enjoy everything your rental offers.
4. You can ask your rental company to show you how to charge the car before you leave the lot.
5. Renters pay for charging expenses, just like they pay for fuel.
6. Some hotels and resorts feature charging stations, which may influence your lodging choices when renting an electric car.
7. You may need to set aside more time to charge the vehicle before your scheduled drop-off, as charging is not as fast as fueling up at a gas station. 

Should You Rent an Electric Vehicle?

Renting an electric vehicle is a great way to get hands-on experience with new automotive technology, take an extended test drive, reduce refueling expenses, and make any road trip far more unique and memorable. However, planning ahead for charging and budgeting that extra time to your itinerary is essential to ensure a better experience when renting EV cars. 

How to Book an Electric Car  

At Budget, we’re committed to helping our customers find the perfect vehicle for their next rental. Renting an electric car offers many benefits, and reserving yours with Budget is just as easy as any other booking. To get started on your reservation, scroll up to the top of this page and complete the reservation form.