Unpredictable, fluctuating petrol prices, both in the UK 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 hiring 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 hire an electric car?
- How to hire an electric car: step by step.
- How much does it cost to hire an EV?
- Electric vs. petrol: daily hire rates by country.
- How to charge an electric hire car.
- The best electric car hire options: which to choose.
- Driving an electric car for the first time: what to expect.
- Should I hire an electric car?
- Where to find Tesla and electric car hires.
Can you actually hire an electric car?
Yes, hiring electric cars (also known as electric vehicles or EVs) is now common practice for most hire companies. You may find smaller, local hire 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 UK)
- 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 hire agencies in one go.
This means you can sort by location too. While it’s pretty much guaranteed that major transport hubs like airports will have everything on offer, it’s not always the case if you’re hiring in the city, where options can be more limited. Equally so if you’re hiring for a one-way trip with different pick-up and drop-off locations.
Keep an eye out for EV hire deals. Keen to promote flashy new electric cars, brands can offer big discounts when launching new models in their fleets. The first time I hired 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 hire convert on the spot.
Duncan Madden, travel expert and road trip enthusiast.
How to hire an electric car: step by step.
In theory, hiring an electric car is as easy as hiring a regular petrol car. In practice that theory proves true, although there are a few things to know in advance. Here’s a rundown of where to search, what to check for, and what to know before you hit the road.
1. Search online. Go to KAYAK car hire search and enter your preferred pick-up and drop-off locations and hire 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 hire companies take the same approach with electric cars as with regular cars: 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 petrol cars because the difference between electric models can be huge. It’s not just boot size and legroom but also range and charging needs. Hiring 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 tyre in any hire, 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 pick-up and drop-off. Airport versus city hires can have wildly different hire 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 hirer or not, make sure the hire agency staff walk you through the charging process for your hire model. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get them to demonstrate how it works. It could be the most valuable five minutes of your entire trip.
How much does it cost to hire an EV?
Your electric car hire cost will depend primarily on the model you go for. A Tesla Model Y definitely won’t cost the same as a Chevy Bolt, for example. This table gives you an idea of daily hire rates and charging/fuel costs.
Note all these prices are estimates and were checked at the time of writing. Prices vary a lot by hire 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 petrol car | £47.0 | £65 |
| Electric car | £36.4 | £10.2 |
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 Kingdom.
The estimated cost to cover 300 miles has been worked out as follows:
- Fuel efficiency of the petrol car (city/motorway): 30 MPG
- National average price of petrol per gallon in the UK: £6.57
- 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 £384.4 (£364 hire + £20.4 charging)
- The mid-size petrol car costs £600 (£470 hire + £130 fuel)
Electric vs. petrol: daily hire rates by country.
Electric vehicles aren’t always the cheaper option; prices vary significantly depending on where you hire. The table below compares average daily hire rates for electric and petrol cars across several countries, based on what KAYAK users are actually searching for.
| Electric | Fuel | Saving with electric | |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | £49.2 | £50.2 | Save £1.0 |
| Canada | £41.6 | £59.8 | Save £18.2 |
| United Kingdom | £36.4 | £47 | Save £10.6 |
| France | £34.0 | £34.8 | Save £0.8 |
| Spain | £60.6 | £42.8 | £17.9 more expensive |
| Germany | £58.7 | £42.7 | £16.0 more expensive |
| Denmark | £58.7 | £100.0 | Save £41.3 |
| Sweden | £39.0 | £60.7 | Save £21.7 |
| Italy | £34.2 | £31.8 | £2.3 more expensive |
Data is sourced from KAYAK internal search data, based on hire searches made in May 2026 for pick-up dates in June 2026.
How to charge an electric hire car.
For many, and especially first timers, charging is the biggest source of stress and uncertainty when hiring 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 very straightforward.
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 UK and Europe, with charging stations commonplace everywhere from petrol stations to shopping centres.
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 hire EVs.
Level 2 | Home or public charger · medium
Hotels, shopping centres, car parks, home chargers.
A common and accessible way to charge. Most EVs come with compatible charging cables or adaptors.
Level 3 | DC Fast Charge · fast
Petrol stations, rest stops, shopping centre car parks, motorway corridors.
The quickest way to charge most EVs.
Tesla Supercharger | Ultra fast
Choose motorway hubs & petrol 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 car hire.
If you hire a Tesla, you’ll have one of the easiest and most accessible electric cars to charge. The Tesla Supercharger network now counts more than 80,000 ports worldwide, and growing. This is currently the largest in the UK 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 very 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 hire (usually stored in the boot).
- 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 get a coffee so you can refuel at the same time as your hire.
- Depending on the terms of your hire, you may not even need to pay, as many Supercharger stations are linked to the hire account and the figure will be added there automatically. Alternatively, use your payment card at the terminal.
What to do if your electric hire 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 was obsessed with battery percentage, getting more dismayed with every drop in a way I never would in a petrol-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 hire company’s roadside assistance.
The best electric car hire options: which to choose.
Choosing the right electric hire 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 hire models, including the official UK 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 motorway trips and business travel, first-time EV users |
| Tesla Model Y – SUV crossover | 327 miles | Families with loads 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 petrol 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 air conditioning. 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 hired an electric car, I returned to the car hire counter to complain it wasn’t working. It was, in fact, working fine, I just couldn’t hear an engine and so hadn’t realised 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 hire an electric car?
I love an electric car hire. They’re novel, fast, modern, and, much of the time, comparatively cheap compared to their petrol-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 UK or most of Europe.
Yes. An EV is a practical and economical choice.
You want to avoid petrol price unpredictability.
Yes. EVs are mostly cheaper to ‘fuel’ than petrol cars, and charging times have come down massively in recent years.
You’re curious and want to try before you consider buying.
Yes. Hires 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 petrol 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 hire availability.
Check KAYAK first and see what’s available. Remember, if EV hires are limited, charging options may be as well.
Where to find Tesla and electric car hires.
If you’re not sure how to hire a Tesla or any other electric car in the region you’re travelling to, just search online first. Here’s how:
- Open the KAYAK app or go to KAYAK.
- Add your pick-up and drop-off location and hire 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 hire companies.
- Choose the model and hire agency you like, and book directly with no added fees.
The post Hiring an electric car: The smart traveller’s complete guide. appeared first on KAYAK Blog UK.
