Hiring an EV? Here’s how to avoid rookie errors

Hiring an electric car can be a great way to road trip, not just because its electric motor makes for a smooth ride. 

But occasionally, it can also be a bit of a bumpy one if you're not across a few things. For some, it might be the first time behind the wheel of a battery electric vehicle (BEV). For others, even with a bit of experience, there are still a few traps worth dodging. 

First off, it pays to know the different types of electric vehicles: there are hybrids and plug-in hybrids (both of which can be referred to as electrified vehicles), and full battery electrics (BEVs). This guide focuses on BEVs, but much of the advice still applies to PHEVs too, especially if you want to save on fuel by driving on electricity as much as possible. 

Secondly, know what you’re hiring. When booking, most car hire companies note you will receive that model "or similar.” With an internal combustion engine vehicle, this can mean the difference between petrol of diesel. No big deal – there are fuel stations all over the place. 

But when booking an electric car, there are other factors to take into account, so it's worth checking you are getting what you expect.  

Step-by-step: what to check when picking up your EV hire 

1. Phone ahead and clarify the exact car

Before you even set foot at the rental car pick-up depot, give them a ring and double-check the car you'll be receiving. You might book a hybrid and get handed the keys to a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) instead. It’s not always obvious unless you ask. 

Ask staff the right questions:

•  What make and model vehicle will be available on pick-up?
• What type of charging ports does the car support?
• Can it use DC fast chargers, and if so, at what speed?
• What cables are supplied? Are they in the car?
• What model year is the vehicle? 

Once you know the model and year, look up the specs yourself if you're unsure. Don’t assume all EVs charge at the same rate; they don’t. 

2. Make sure you've got the right charging cables

If you're in a plug-in hybrid, remember most have limited electric-only range—often 40 to 60km max, but sometimes 100km or more for big battery PHEVs. Once the battery’s flat, they switch to petrol-only or use petrol to charge the battery while driving, and may lose the pep you got used to in hybrid mode. Torque and acceleration can take a hit once you're missing that extra oomph, something worth considering if you plan to head into the hills. 

For example, on a recent trip a friend booked a hybrid but was handed a Jeep and told it was a ‘mild hybrid’. It turned out to be a Jeep Compass 4xe PHEV with a 11.8kWh battery capable of driving 48km on electricity in the best conditions. Worse, this particular model was only capable of AC charging, and the hire company only supplied a universal mobile charger (UMC, also known as a trickle charger, that can only plug into power points). There was no Type 2 cable, which is used for AC destination chargers. That meant they couldn't use a DC fast charger, nor even slower AC chargers for the entire trip. Because of this, the fuel ended up costing almost four times as much as it should have. 

If you book an EV, you should at a minimum be given a Type 2 cable for AC destination chargers (all DC fast charge station have their own liquid-cooled cables, so don’t worry about that.) If you are staying at accommodation that allows using a powerpoint, then a UMC is also nice-to-have. 

3. Check range and charging options before you drive away

Take a moment to understand the car’s real-world electric range. The range quoted by rental staff might be based on outdated NEDC numbers, which are wildly optimistic. WLTP is better, but still not gospel. Real-world range depends on how you drive, weather conditions, and road types. You can read more about the difference between NEDC, WLTP, and real-world range here. 

You might book an EV with 480km range but be handed a vehicle with 430km range. If this figure refers to WLTP range, the real world range for the 480km range vehicle will be more like 430km in middling conditions, whereas the 430km range vehicle might only get 380km. It doesn’t seem like much but as charging infrastructure is still not as common as fuel stations, it can make a difference. 

Before you hit the road, it’s also best to download PlugShare to scout chargers along your route and check for any outages. Also, download the relevant EV charging network apps in advance and link them to your credit card or PayPal, and consider ordering RFID cards. Reception can be patchy in rural areas, so don’t leave this until the last minute. 

Also consider your accommodation. More and more places offer EV charging, but always confirm with the host. If you're relying on the supplied trickle charger (UMC), make sure there's a standard power outlet where you park overnight. 

Behind the wheel: tips for driving an electric car on hire 

1. Take it easy at first

If this is your first EV experience, you’re in for a treat. Electric cars are smooth and quiet, and the instant torque off the line makes city driving feel breezy. Without a gearbox, acceleration is linear and there's no hunting for gears on climbs. 

You might also notice the regen braking: lifting your foot off the accelerator slows the car down and recovers energy to the battery instead of using the brakes. Some models let you dial in how strong this effect is. Try out the different regen settings in a car park before heading into traffic. 

2. Plan for different driving conditions

Battery range takes a hit in certain conditions. Long stretches of highway, strong headwinds, or heavy rain can all chew through charge faster than you'd expect. If you’re heading off the main drag, know how far you can drive, and always have a plan B for charging. Cold weather can reduce range also - you can avoid this by pre-conditioning the battery before leaving (preferably while plugged in.)

If the battery starts dipping lower than you’d like and the next charger is still a good distance away, slow it down. Hyper-miling - driving slowly and steadily to conserve power - can make a huge difference. Drop back to 80km/h if needed, avoid hard acceleration, and coast when you can. Even turning off the air-conditioning will make a noticeable difference. 

Tools and pro tips for hiring an EV 

There are a few handy tools and guides to make your EV trip more enjoyable: 

• NRMA’s Ultimate EV Road Trip Guide: Our complete go-to guide for taking EVs on longer trips.  
• PlugShare: The go-to app for locating public chargers. It also has user reviews, photos and notes on how to find chargers in tricky locations (like behind a servo or inside a hotel carpark). 
• A Better Routeplanner (ABRP): Great for long trips. Plug in your car model, destination and battery level, and it maps out your charging stops. 
• Spare charging cable: If you have access to one, it’s worth bringing your own Type 2 AC cable, or borrowing one off your local AEVA branch. Some hire companies don’t supply them, and you’ll need it for most public AC chargers. 

Also check out our hire car insurance guide to make sure you’re covered if anything goes sideways.  

Wrapping it up 

Hiring an EV can be a great way to road trip or to test-drive electric motoring, but it pays to be prepared. Double check the car you’re getting, know its range and charging specs, and get your apps sorted before you hit the road. Pay attention to where and how you’ll charge—especially if you're heading out of town or into regional areas. 

Don’t assume the hire company has thought of everything (or that staff know all about the car!) Ask questions, use Dr Google, check the cables, and plan like your road trip depends on it. 

Have you hired an EV lately? Got tips to share or lessons you learned the hard way? Send us a note on our socials and let us know.