Why You Should Avoid Renting An Electric Car On Vacation Despite The Benefits

Renting a car on vacation gives you loads of freedom to explore. It frees you from an over-reliance on public transport, particularly if you are traveling to a destination where the distances between attractions are significant. Having your own car on vacation can often lead to interesting, unusual discoveries that you might otherwise miss. There's nothing quite like a scenic road trip, after all, and even if you are just meandering your way around a small island, renting a car lets you move at your own pace and go exactly where you want to go.

In the last few years, electric vehicles have become a viable option at many rental car services. They aren't the most common, but they tend to be cheaper, both upfront and when considering the cost of gas vs electric charging during your trip. Finding a more sustainable way to get around is also a priority for many people, and electric vehicles deliver on this front as well. However, while an electric car might seem like a hack that will make your road trip easier, renting an EV on vacation comes with some significant downsides, and overall, it tends to be more hassle than it is worth.

While the price of an electric rental car might be tempting, the issues that come with them make them an annoying option in most circumstances. From low range and missing hardware to a lack of charging points and slow charging times, an electric rental car can be a huge drag on a vacation and is worth avoiding in the majority of cases.

First and foremost, the major problem with renting an electric car is the lack of infrastructure. While gas stations are common even in the most remote and secluded destinations, charging stations are harder to come by, which means they are also more likely to be crowded. And while some electric cars have a decent range (in some cases over 400 miles), many electric rental cars will be smaller, with a range of around 150 to 200 miles. This means that, unless you are going on an electric vehicle-friendly road trip, you'll find yourself planning your trip around charging your car. 

Charging times can also be an issue. Filling up a normal rental car at a gas station takes a matter of minutes. By the time you've bought snacks for the road and made use of the conveniences, you are good to go. But charging an electric vehicle can take hours, meaning you have to plan your day incredibly carefully. 

You may also find that the rental company doesn't provide all the tools you need to properly plan around charging. As Redditor r/barfooz noted in a lengthy complaint about renting an EV, their rental company didn't provide them with an at-home charging cable. Additionally, they had more trouble than they imagined finding charging stations to use: "I quickly learned that most advertised electric charging stations on the map are private, part of gated communities, or require some ridiculous $5 per hour parking fee."

So, while an electric rental may be fine for some trips, in most cases, the hassle outweighs the benefits.