Although more and more travellers are choosing electric car hire, some people remain anxious about doing so. These EV care hire hacks should help you hit the road with confidence on your next trip.
Electric car hire is surging
Did you know the share of people buying electric vehicles (EVs) globally has more than tripled in recent years — from 4% in 2020 to 14% in 2022?*
We’re noticing the difference too. The number of travellers hiring EVs via Skyscanner over a petrol or diesel car has tripled over the past 12 months.
Many rental companies are shifting their focus to offer lower-emitting options, with some setting themselves ambitious environmental targets involving growing the number of electric car rentals in their fleet.
However, hiring an electric car — in Ireland, Europe and beyond — can still be a little daunting for many for reasons like, where and how to charge it. So, here are six helpful tips for hiring an EV successfully on your next trip.
1. Pick the right options between a hybrid or a full EV car hire
Before committing to an electric car hire, think about what type of EV would suit you and the kind of trip you’re planning — a fully electric vehicle or a hybrid model.
Make sure to check the range of your electric car hire. If you’re driving longer distances, then it’s a good idea to rent an electric car that can travel further between charges.
Skyscanner lets you filter by low emissions vehicles that include both EVs and hybrids, so you can easily find the right one for you
2. Check your rental company provides access to a charging network
If your car rental company has partnered with a network of charging stations, this will make life easier — especially if you’re visiting from another continent.
Some companies in Europe, for example, give their customers access to 300,000 charging stations across the continent. It’s always good to check what your rental company offers because in Europe, now, there isn’t one single company that provides access to every charging station — it’s a bit more of a patchwork.
3. Map out your trip in advance
A little forward planning can save a few headaches later on in the holiday. Check out all the charging sites on your route using maps such as Charge Map or Zapmap to see what’s available and where.
4. Ensure your electric car hire has fast charging
If you want to spend as little time as possible charging your car, then make sure it’s equipped with DC fast charging. This will also allow you to access the increasing number of fast chargers popping up across the network.
5. Search for accommodation with a charging point
With electric car hire in Europe and Ireland, it can really pay to check ahead to see if your accommodation provides EV charging.
Recharging your vehicle overnight helps to reduce the overall cost and hassle on your trip. Skyscanner now allows you to filter your search results to show accommodation options that have an EV charging station on site.
