Renting an electric car on holiday: charging, returning and billing

This guide answers the key points and shows how to enjoy an electric rental car with ease, from pick-up to return.

Renting an electric car: what to look out for when booking

Electric cars are now part of the line-up at many large rental companies, especially in major European cities. That said, the number available is often small, and not every branch keeps EVs in stock at all. If you want an electric rental car, it is therefore wise to book early and check what is on offer in advance on the provider's website.

Ideally, clarify the car's range before you set off and ask whether a charging cable is included. If the cable is missing at return, it can prove expensive. A quick look at the key technical details saves time and hassle later on.

Charging an electric rental car: charging card, app and public charging points

Charging works in principle just as it does with a privately owned electric car. At a public charging point, you start the charging session using a charging card, RFID chip or app. Many rental companies provide the car with its own charging access. Ask when you pick the car up whether a charging card of this kind is included and which networks it covers.

With or without the rental company's charging card

If the rental company does not supply its own charging access, simply use your own charging card or app. Common providers usually bill electricity by the kilowatt hour (kWh) charged. Before you set off, also check that the right charging cable is in the car: Type 2 for AC charging and CCS for DC rapid charging.

Charging an electric rental car abroad: making smart use of charging roaming

On holiday, you often charge in a different country from the one you live in. This is made possible by what is known as charging roaming: with a single charging card or app, you can also charge at points elsewhere in Europe.

One catch remains: at the very same charging point, the same session can be considerably more expensive depending on your card, because roaming surcharges apply. So before you travel, check which countries your provider covers and which tariffs apply there. A local app in your destination country can be a cheap addition worth having. Paying spontaneously with your bank card is possible almost everywhere, but it is usually the most expensive option.

Returning the car: which state of charge counts

The most important difference compared with a petrol or diesel car concerns the return. Instead of a full tank, what counts here is the battery's state of charge. Many rental companies set a minimum threshold of around 80% (source: auto motor und sport). Sixt, for example, hands the cars over with more than 80% and expects them back with at least 80%. The state of charge is recorded both at pick-up and at return.

If you have no time left to charge before returning the car, many rental companies offer a charging or refuelling service that you can book in advance as an add-on. If you return the car without a sufficient state of charge, the rental company tops it up and bills you for the cost.

Important: the exact rules and fees vary from provider to provider and change from time to time. It is therefore always worth checking your rental agreement.

If you come to a standstill with a flat battery, many rental companies treat this as a breakdown and charge a flat fee plus any towing costs. It need not come to that, though: charge the battery in good time and you can return your electric rental car with complete peace of mind.

Keeping an eye on the bill: what charging costs

How charging costs are billed depends on the rental company and the charging provider. Three models are common in general: some rental companies add a flat charging fee to the rental price up front, with others you pay for the electricity yourself and submit the costs, and in yet other cases the individual charging sessions appear on your rental invoice. It is best to clarify this directly at pick-up.

Billing is usually by the kilowatt hour. Watch out too for possible idle fees: these apply when the car stays plugged in at the charging point for too long after it has finished charging. Abroad, roaming surcharges are added depending on your card. To keep an eye on costs, use an app with a transparent price display and filter for cheap charging points along your route.

Rapid charging in the city: a relaxed return with JOLT

In the city in particular, the state of charge required for return is easy to reach. JOLT operates ultra-rapid chargers right in the heart of urban areas, with up to 320 kW of charging power. That lets you add around 200 km of range in about 10 minutes and be back at the rental station in good time.

This is made possible by an integrated battery storage system that enables ultra-rapid charging without costly grid expansion. The stations are available around the clock, so you can charge before returning the car early in the morning or late in the evening too.

At JOLT rapid charging stations you can pay with common charging cards and roaming providers such as EnBW mobility+, Plugsurfing or Shell Recharge, or directly via the JOLT app as well as with Visa and Mastercard. This is ideal for a quick charging stop before return, with no need to get used to a new card.

By the way: if you are travelling to your destination in your own electric car, our guide Charging your EV before the holidays is worth a read too. To see how tariffs with no fixed monthly costs add up, read Charging your EV with no basic fee.

Checklist: enjoying an electric rental car stress-free

• Book early, as the number of EVs available is often small
• Check the range and the supplied charging cable at pick-up
• Clarify whether the rental company includes a charging card and which networks it covers
• Set up a suitable charging app and roaming coverage for your destination country in advance
• Ask about the minimum state of charge required for return (often around 80%)
• Top up in good time before return, for example at a rapid charger in the city
• Check the billing model and any idle fees in your rental agreement

Find a rapid charging station now

Want to rapid charge your electric rental car before returning it? Find a JOLT rapid charging station near you and add valuable range in just a few minutes.

Sources

• Verbraucherzentrale (EVZ): Charging an EV abroad, what to look out for on holiday
• Sixt Help Centre: Charging on the go, State of charge at pick-up and return, Refuelling and charging service
• ADAC Autovermietung: Renting an electric car, return and billing
• AUTO BILD: The electric car as a rental, charging rules and return
• auto motor und sport: Charging rules for electric rental cars (Europcar, Sixt, Hertz, Starcar)
• Toyota: Charging card for EVs, billing by kWh and idle fees
• EnBW: Charging an EV abroad and charging roaming
• Fleetcor: Roaming costs and charging cards abroad
• Evo2Drive: Charging electric rental cars, tips on charging cards and return
• JOLT Energy: Product and pricing information (up to 320 kW, around 200 km in about 10 minutes, battery-buffered charging, accepted charging cards and payment options)