Unpredictable, fluctuating gas prices, both in the US and overseas, can add serious cost to a road trip. And the longer the journey, the bigger the cost. Which begs the question, is it worth renting an electric car? With more stable and often cheaper recharging pricing, the answer is undoubtedly yes. Here’s what you need to know.
In this article
- Can you actually rent an electric car?
- How to rent an electric car: step by step.
- How much does it cost to rent an EV?
- Electric vs gas: daily rental rates by country.
- How to charge an electric rental car.
- The best electric car rental options: which to choose.
- Driving an electric car for the first time: what to expect.
- Should I rent an electric car?
- Where to find Tesla and electric car rentals.
Can you actually rent an electric car?
Yes, renting out electric cars (also known as electric vehicles or EVs) is now common practice for most rental companies. You may find smaller, local rental agencies have more limited options, but the major brands (including budget ones) have them widely available. That includes:
- Hertz
- Enterprise
- Avis
- Sixt
- Europcar
- Budget
- Alamo (primarily in the US)
- Dollar/Thrifty
- Drivalia (primarily in Europe)
I find the best way to search is online, in advance, so you know what’s available and where. Platforms like KAYAK let you filter for fully electric or hybrid models across major rental agencies in one go.
This means you can sort by location too. While it’s pretty much guaranteed major transport hubs like airports will have everything on offer, it’s not always the case if you’re renting in the city where options can be more limited. Equally so if you’re renting for a one-way trip with different pickup and dropoff locations.
Keep an eye out for EV rental deals. Keen to promote flashy new electric cars, brands can offer big discounts when launching new models in their fleets. The first time I rented a Polestar 2 from Europcar on a trip to London, I paid around $15 a day. Factoring in cheap recharging costs, I became an electric rental convert on the spot.
Duncan Madden, travel expert and road trip enthusiast.
How to rent an electric car: step by step.
In theory, renting an electric car is as easy as renting a regular gas car. In practice that theory proves true, although there are a few things to know in advance. Here’s a walkthrough of where to search, what to check for and what to know before you hit the road.
1. Search online. Go to KAYAK car rental search and enter your preferred pickup and dropoff locations and rental dates. In the filter menu, check the Fully electric box under ‘Fuel type’ or use the Smart Filter and just type ‘electric car’ in the entry field.
2. Choose your vehicle. Most rental companies take the same approach with electric cars as gas: they don’t commit to a specific model, but rather a category (the exception being Teslas). Use the Car type filter to choose the size you want, from small to SUV. (You can select multiple if you’re not sure.) Categories without electric options will be blocked automatically.
3. Check the details. Choosing the right vehicle type is more important for electric cars than gas because the difference between electric models can be huge. It’s not just trunk size and legroom but also range and charging needs. Renting a car that can’t cover your planned daily mileage without needing recharging can cause serious problems. Take it from someone who found that out the hard way.
4. Review what’s included. Just as you should always check there’s a working spare tire in any rental, you should check for a charging cable when going electric. Make sure it’s in good condition and fits easily into the car’s charging port.
5. Confirm pickup and dropoff. Airport versus city rentals can have wildly different rental prices and model availability. In a KAYAK search, use the map to compare prices across different outlets for a snapshot of cost versus convenience.
6. Stick around for the briefing. Whether you’re an experienced electric car renter or not, make sure the rental agent walks you through the charging process for your rental model. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get them to demo how it works. It could be the most valuable five minutes of your entire trip.
How much does it cost to rent an EV?
Your electric car rental cost will depend primarily on the model you go for. A Tesla Model Y certainly won’t cost the same as a Chevy Bolt, for example. This table gives you an indication of daily rental rates and charging/fuel costs.
Note all these prices are approximate and were checked at the time of writing. Prices vary significantly by rental period, market, season and availability. For up to date prices, search KAYAK.
| Type of car | Average daily rate in June 2026 | Est. cost to cover 300 miles |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-size gasoline car | $67 | $42 |
| Electric car | $66 | $13.7 |
The average daily rate is based on KAYAK data from all searches made in May 2026 for the month of June 2026 in the United States.
The estimated cost to cover 300 miles has been calculated as follows:
- Fuel efficiency of the gasoline car (city/highway): 30 MPG
- National average price of gas per gallon in the US: $4.20
- Electric charging cost is provided by Tesla for the Tesla Model 3
Calculation for a 600-mile road trip over 10 days:
- The electric car costs $687 ($660 rental + $27 charging)
- The mid-size gasoline car costs $754 ($670 rental + $84 fuel)
Electric vs gas: daily rental rates by country.
Electric vehicles aren’t always the cheaper option, prices vary significantly depending on where you rent. The table below compares average daily rental rates for electric and gas cars across several countries, based on what KAYAK users are actually searching for.
| Electric | Gas | Saving with electric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $66.0 | $67.4 | Save $1.4 |
| Canada | $55.9 | $80.3 | Save $24.4 |
| United Kingdom | $48.7 | $62.9 | Save $14.2 |
| France | $45.6 | $46.7 | Save $1.0 |
| Spain | $81.4 | $57.4 | $24.0 more expensive |
| Germany | $78.8 | $57.3 | $21.5 more expensive |
| Denmark | $78.8 | $134.3 | Save $55.5 |
| Sweden | $52.4 | $81.5 | Save $29.2 |
| Italy | $45.9 | $42.7 | $3.1 more expensive |
Data is sourced from KAYAK internal search data, based on rental searches made in May 2026 for pick-up dates in June 2026.
How to charge an electric rental car.
For many, and especially first timers, charging is the biggest source of stress and uncertainty when renting an electric car. That anxiety is rooted in not knowing what to do, where you can do it and how long it might take. The good news is, that’s a simple fix, because charging an electric car is actually as easy as pie.
I always screenshot a map of charging stations on the route I’m driving to make sure I’m covered. There are some great apps that make charging less stressful too. I particularly like PlugShare and ABRP.
Duncan Madden, travel expert and road trip enthusiast.
The different types of electric charging.
There are primarily four options for charging your electric car. The electric charging network is growing rapidly across the US and Europe, with charging stations commonplace everywhere from gas stations to shopping malls.
Level 1 | Standard outlet · slow
Anywhere with a wall plug: home, hotel.
A cheap, easy but slow option for overnight charging. No special hardware needed. Not always available for rental EVs.
Level 2 | Home or public charger · medium
Hotels, malls, parking garages, home chargers.
A common and accessible way to charge. Most EVs come with compatible charging cables or adaptors.
Level 3 | DC Fast Charge · fast
Gas stations, rest stops, retail lots, highway corridors.
The fastest way to charge most EVs.
Tesla Supercharger | Ultra fast
Select highway hubs & gas stations, Electrify America stations.
Only works with Teslas & 800v EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Porsche Taycan, Kia EV9, Audi e-tron GT.
How to charge a Tesla rental car.
If you rent a Tesla, you’ll have one of the easiest and most accessible electric cars to charge. The Tesla Supercharger network count now more than 80,000 ports worlwide, and growing. This is currently the largest in the US with 3,000+ stations offering 36,500+ ports, more than half of all charging ports available nationwide.
What that means is that nowadays you’re never that far from a place to charge your Tesla. Here’s what to do when your battery needs a top up.
- Use your Tesla’s in-car navigation to find the nearest Supercharger station. Every location is already programmed in, so it’s super easy. You can also use the Tesla app, which also tells you how many chargers are currently available at each station.
- Once at a charging station, plug in the charging cable provided with your rental (usually stored in the trunk.)
- Aim to charge to 80% of the battery’s capacity, as this is much faster than a full charge (and better for the battery’s health.) You’ll have just enough time to grab a coffee and snack so you can refuel at the same time as your rental.
- Depending on the terms of your rental, you may not even need to pay as many Supercharger stations are linked to the rental account and the figure will be added there automatically. Alternatively, use your payment card at the terminal.
What to do if your electric rental runs low on battery.
Don’t panic! Although I can testify that battery anxiety is real. The first time I drove an electric car I obsessed over battery percentage, getting more dismayed with every drop in a way I never would in a gasoline-powered car. It was wasted energy.
Your car will alert you with plenty of time to find a charging station, usually when the battery hits 20% and again at 10%. Heed the warning and use the car’s navigation system or an app like PlugShare to locate the nearest charging station. If you do run out of power completely, call the rental company’s roadside assistance.
The best electric car rental options: which to choose.
Choosing the right electric rental will depend on your needs and the kind of trip you’re taking. If you’re a first timer, I’d put a Tesla at the top of your list simply for its ease of use and abundance of superfast Supercharger stations. The Models 3 and Y are different enough to cover most needs.
Here’s an overview of the most common rental models including the official US government estimate of the distance each can travel on a single battery charge, known as the EPA range.
| Model | EPA range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 - Sedan | 272-341 miles | Long highway trips and business travel, first-time EV users |
| Tesla Model Y - SUV crossover | 327 miles | Families with lots of luggage to transport |
| Nissan Leaf - Hatchback | Up to 303 miles | City trips and short distances for the budget-conscious |
| Chevy Bolt - Hatchback | ~259 miles | Budget-friendly city and suburban driving |
| Polestar 2 - Fastback | ~254 miles | A premium feel, great for the city, okay for longer trips |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 - Sedan | Up to 361 miles | Long trips and fast charging with best-in-class range |
| BMW i4 - Gran Coupé | ~307 miles | Driving enthusiasts and grand tours |
Driving an electric car for the first time: what to expect.
The fundamentals of driving an electric car are the same as any other. Yet it’s also undoubtedly a different sensory experience, which means you should expect a transition period. Knowing what to expect helps and if you’re like most, you’ll soon grow to love it. A few key things to pay attention to:
- The silence. No internal combustion engine means no engine noise. Driving an electric car is at first almost eerily quiet and you may miss some noises that you’ve come to use as driving cues. When to change gear, for example. Or that it’s even on.
- The power. Electric cars deliver their power instantly, so there’s immediate torque and rapid acceleration. Even a basic EV feels blisteringly quick off the line compared to a gasoline car. Be prepared and go lightly to begin with until you’re used to it.
- The simplicity. With no gear shifts and no engine revs, just push the on button, press the pedal and you’re away. Don’t worry, you haven’t forgotten anything.
- One-pedal driving. While automatics did away with the clutch, EVs are close to taking it one step further by bypassing the brakes. Regenerative braking slows electric cars when you lift off the accelerator. This gives you greater immediate control but can take a bit of getting used to, as coasting is a thing of the past.
- The range meter. Your range will likely fluctuate depending on the terrain and traffic, your driving style and other things like using the AC. Try not to obsess over it (easier said than done at first!) and instead think of it like a normal fuel gauge.
The first time I rented an electric car, I returned to the rental car counter to complain it wasn’t working. It was, in fact, working fine, I just couldn’t hear an engine and so hadn’t realized it was on. My embarrassment was palpable, but soon faded as I started to enjoy the driving experience.
Duncan Madden, travel expert and road trip enthusiast.
Should I rent an electric car?
I love an electric car rental. They’re novel, fast, modern and, much of the time, comparatively cheap compared to their gas-guzzling predecessors. Having said that, they’re better suited to some trips and locations than others, so it’s not a simple yes or no.
You're taking a long road trip in a region with good charging infrastructure, like the US or much of Europe
Yes. An EV is a practical and economical choice
You want to avoid gas price unpredictability
Yes. EVs are mostly cheaper to 'fuel' than gasoline cars, and charging times have come down massively in recent years
You're curious and want to try before you consider buying
Yes. Rentals are a great way to test drive an EV and see if it’s the right fit for you
You're doing a very long road trip in a remote area with few chargers
Plan carefully and research charging options. If you have doubts, opt for gas instead
You need maximum flexibility without charging planning
Consider a plug-in hybrid EV instead (known as a PHEV), which covers you for both options
You're in a location with very limited EV rental availability
Check KAYAK first and see what’s available. Remember, if EV rentals are limited, charging options may be as well
Where to find Tesla and electric car rentals.
If you’re not sure how to rent a Tesla or any other electric car in the region you’re traveling to, just search online first. Here’s how:
- Open the KAYAK app or go to KAYAK.com/cars.
- Add your pickup and dropoff location and rental dates.
- Under ‘All filters’ check the boxes for ‘Hybrid’ or ‘Fully electric’, or both.
- On the results page, select ‘Compare’ on the models you like to get a simple side-by-side features and price comparison across all the major rental companies.
- Choose the model and rental agency you like, and book directly with no added fees.
