Rising gas prices are prompting some Americans to choose electric vehicles when renting a car.
Car Rental Gateway, an online car rental platform headquartered in London and which also operates in the United States, saw a 16% increase in electric and hybrid car rentals in March.
Additionally, Hertz spokeswoman Lauren Luster told USA TODAY that the company has seen a nearly 25% increase in requests for EV reservations from rideshare drivers from February to March.
The findings came as gas prices rose to an average of $4.55 per gallon on May 7, up from $4.30 a week earlier on April 30, according to AAA.
“GasBuddy live ticking data shows the national average is now at $4.57/gal while diesel is at $5.67/gal – both of which may represent a short-term top as I expect prices to start falling over the weekend as oil falls – see US/Iran talks,” Patrick de Haan, GasBuddy’s head of petroleum analysis, wrote in an X post.
The USA TODAY Cars team takes a look at the pros and cons of leasing an EV.
Benefits of renting an EV
The website CarRentalLab.com lists the following professionals for EV rental:
- cost savings: Operating costs of EVs are often lower than traditional gasoline cars. They may also sometimes be offered discounts as rental companies try to encourage customers to choose less-used vehicles for their fleets. “For example, charging an EV can be significantly cheaper than filling a gas tank,” the website said. “Some rental companies, like Hertz and Enterprise, also offer electric vehicles at competitive rates, making it easy to save money on your trip.”
- Environmental Impact: Choosing an electric car means you are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “This is particularly relevant in areas where the electricity grid is powered by renewable energy sources,” the website said. “For example, in California, many EVs are charged using solar or wind power, making your rental even more eco-friendly.”
- Innovative Technology: Electric cars are typically equipped with the latest technology, including advanced safety features, infotainment systems, and autonomous driving capabilities. “For example, renting a Tesla Model 3 or Nissan Leaf gives you the chance to experience cutting-edge automotive advancements,” the website said.
- Quiet and smooth ride: The driving experience in an EV is generally quieter and smoother than conventional vehicles. “It can enhance your travel experience, especially on long trips or scenic drives,” the website said.
Disadvantages of renting an EV
TravelersUnited, a non-profit organization that advocates for travelers across all modes of transportation, has identified the following challenges that may come with renting an EV:
- Hidden EV rental fees, such as “idle” fees: “The base rental fee is just the beginning,” the group said. “There are fees for EVs that may not be obvious. For gasoline cars, rental car companies require that the gas tank be full when you return the car to the company. EV rentals have a similar requirement.”
- Unfamiliarity with EV driving experience: “If you don’t regularly drive an EV, you need to learn not only about the EV itself, but also about the specific EV you’ll be renting,” the group said. “You need to know how to turn it on, lock it, use the door handle, charge it at a variety of charging stations, what charging adapters it has, etc.” TravelersUnited strongly suggests that you take a test drive before renting an EV if you have never driven one.
- Some EVs do not come with a spare tire or donut: TravelersUnited always reminds gasoline-powered car renters to make sure their car has a spare tire or “doughnut” spare, plus a jack — but some EVs don’t come with a spare, including many Teslas. “If no extras come with your rental, you’ll need to figure out what you need to do in terms of the flat,” the group said.
- Needs extra time to charge, or is having trouble finding: Charging an EV takes longer than filling a conventional car’s gas tank, even with a fast charger. Additionally, while the number of public chargers has increased in recent years, there are still areas of the country where they are not easily accessible. “When you pick up your EV, if the battery is not fully charged and you have to make a long drive, you will have to make an important decision,” TravelersUnited said. “You have to decide whether you have time to charge the EV en route, assuming there are convenient charging stations along your route, or whether you should ask for another fully charged car.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY. Reporting by Keith Lang/USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.