Beginner’s Guide to Using a Rental Electric Vehicle
Electric cars are no longer preferred only by technology enthusiasts; they have also become the choice of drivers looking for practical solutions in daily life. In parallel, electric car rental options have also increased rapidly. Now, when renting a daily, weekly, or long-term car, it is possible to choose an environmentally friendly and quiet electric model instead of petrol or diesel. Especially major rental brands such as Europcar car rental are adding rental electric vehicles in different segments to their fleets, creating a new alternative for both individual users and companies.
Taking the first step into the world of electric vehicles through renting is actually very logical. Because before making a purchase decision, you gain real-life experience about range, charging, and driving feel by trying it first. In this guide, let’s focus on practical points that will help those who will use a rental electric vehicle for the first time—from basic information to range management, charging stations, and driving modes.
What Is Electric Car Rental? Who Is It Suitable For?
In the classic car rental model, you rent a petrol or diesel car, refuel it yourself, and continue with only fuel expenses during the rental period. Electric car rental is the next-generation version of the same logic. Here, instead of an internal combustion engine, you rent a fully electric vehicle daily, weekly, or long-term, and you use charging stations instead of fuel stations.
This model is particularly suitable for a few groups. First, users who want to buy an electric car but want to test it in real life first. Second, drivers with heavy city usage who are looking for a quiet vehicle with low operating costs. Third, those who are environmentally conscious, want to reduce their carbon footprint, but still prefer rent a car for flexibility.
For example, by choosing an electric model through Europcar car rental on a business trip, you can enjoy a comfortable ride in city traffic and avoid the trouble of looking for a fuel station. Especially in major cities, electric rental car options at airport exits are increasing. This offers the luxury of “try first, decide later.”
Basic Information for First-Time Electric Vehicle Users
Everyone who gets into an electric car for the first time experiences similar confusion: You press the start button, but there is no engine sound. There is a sign on the dashboard meaning “you’re ready,” but there is no noise or vibration you’re used to. So the “Did it start?” dilemma is classic in the first minutes.
In electric vehicles, the accelerator pedal actually works like a torque pedal; since instant power is very high, take-offs are quite quick. Therefore, during the first minutes with a rental car, it is important not to press the pedal more than necessary and to get used to the throttle response. Also, the one-pedal driving sensation may surprise you; when you lift your foot off the pedal, the car slows down faster due to regenerative braking.
On the gear side, there is usually an automatic transmission logic; the options D, R, and N are standard in most models. The part that differs from the classic car rental experience is that you don’t feel engine revs or gear shifts. Therefore, without worrying about driving with revs, it is enough to move with the logic of “smooth driving = efficient driving.”
Guide to Understanding Charging Types and Charging Stations
In the world of electric vehicles, instead of “getting fuel,” there is “charging,” and there are different speeds and power levels. Simply put, there are three main scenarios: home slow charging, AC fast charging, and DC high-speed charging. When you get a rental electric vehicle, AC and DC stations are what matter most because you don’t have a home solution and mainly use public stations.
Before renting, it is important to know which brand of stations exist on your route and what charging card or app support the rental company provides. In many cases, when receiving the vehicle, you are given a card or mobile app details for access to the charging network. Especially corporate companies like Europcar car rental make this process easier by partnering with charging operators.
On the station screen, AC values usually appear as 11 kW, 22 kW, and DC values as 50 kW, 100 kW, or higher. The simple rule is: DC is generally faster but not always cheaper; AC is ideal for daily use, while DC is lifesaving for long-distance travel.
How to Manage Range in Rental Electric Vehicles
The most talked about topic in electric vehicle usage is “range anxiety.” In other words, the fear of “Will I get stranded?” In a rental vehicle, this concern may be slightly higher because you do not yet know the vehicle and its real range. The first thing to do is to learn how to correctly interpret the estimated range value on the dashboard.
The displayed range is a dynamic value calculated according to the recent driving style and average consumption. If you drive aggressively and at high speeds, the real range decreases; if you drive calmly and in the city, you can often go even further than what you see on the screen. Therefore, during the first hours with a rental electric car, adopting a calm and observant driving style and monitoring consumption is important.
In city use, you generally don’t need to charge every day; for most drivers, stopping by a charging station every two to three days is enough. If you are going on a long trip, marking DC fast-charging points on the map beforehand removes the stress from the rental car experience. Knowing how many DC stations exist on your planned highway route greatly simplifies range management.
Charging Time, Cost, and Planning Tips
One of the key differences in electric vehicles is that “filling the tank” takes time. But this doesn’t always mean long; when you choose the right station, a 20–30 minute coffee break is enough to charge a significant portion of the battery. Especially at high-kW DC fast-charging stations, these times become quite reasonable.
When renting, you must clarify how full the battery is at pick-up and how full it should be at drop-off. Some car rental companies apply fuel-like policies in electric cars as well—such as “full–full” or “pick up at a certain percentage, return at a similar percentage.” Finding a station near the return point and returning the car at a similar charge level is a good habit to avoid extra charges.
On the cost side, electricity may generally be cheaper per kilometer than petrol; however, the charging tariff, membership model, and fast-charging pricing can change this. Especially at DC stations with per-minute pricing, when charging slows down as battery level increases, staying longer than necessary may increase costs. These adjustments can make electric car rental even more advantageous.
How Regenerative Braking Works
Regenerative braking is one of the technologies that make electric vehicles unique. In short, it recovers part of the energy you spend while braking. When you lift your foot off the accelerator or press the brake, the electric motor acts like a generator and converts kinetic energy into electrical energy, sending it back to the battery.
What does this mean?
- In stop-and-go traffic, you actually contribute positively to the range.
- When you lift your foot off the pedal, the car slows more sharply than normal.
For first-time rental electric car users, this feeling may be unusual, but it becomes very natural after a few kilometers.
Some models allow adjusting the regenerative braking level. Strong regeneration offers a near one-pedal driving experience; when you lift your foot, the car may slow almost to a stop. Checking the menu of your rental vehicle helps you find the most suitable setting. This increases efficiency and significantly reduces brake wear.
Driving Modes and Efficient Driving Tips in Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles usually have driving modes such as Eco, Normal, and Sport. If you are experiencing a rental EV for the first time, starting in Eco or Normal helps you feel the torque more controlled and improves range. Sport mode offers a fun and dynamic drive but increases consumption; it is not ideal for long trips or low battery levels.
Efficient usage follows a few simple rules: Sudden acceleration and hard braking increase consumption; smooth, predictive driving makes the electric car rental experience more comfortable and economical. At high speeds, wind resistance increases significantly; even driving slightly below highway limits clearly impacts range.
Climate control is also important. Especially in winter, using seat heating or steering heating consumes less energy than cabin heating. These small details can extend your driving distance by a few kilometers when battery levels are critical.
What Should You Pay Attention to in City and Long-Distance Driving?
In city driving, electric vehicles are almost in their natural habitat. Frequent stops, low speeds, and effective regenerative braking usually improve range. When renting an electric car in the city, a single full charge is often more than enough for daily tasks, meetings, or short trips.
Long-distance driving requires more planning. If you are taking a rental EV on a vacation itinerary, marking DC fast-charging stations on the map beforehand is the smartest strategy. Planning a charging stop every 150–200 km allows more flexible use of range and makes the trip more enjoyable with regular breaks.
Here, an advantage of corporate brands like Europcar car rental comes into play: At the pick-up point, you can usually receive information about the car’s charging capabilities, recommended charging stations, and route planning tips. For someone driving long distance with an electric vehicle for the first time, even this short briefing offers significant comfort.
The common point in both city and long-distance scenarios is this:
An electric vehicle behaves differently from the gasoline cars you are used to, but once you understand its logic, it offers a much more comfortable and economical driving experience.
Trying it through car rental provides a real-life answer to the question:
“Is an electric car right for me?”