The complete guide to renting an EV

Keen to try before you buy? We share 8 tips to help your EV rental become a success

Keen to find out more about EVs? Renting an EV for your next business trip, adventure, or weekend away allows you to do just that – without committing to a big purchase. In fact, many EV owners choose to rent an EV before they buy.

Renting an EV can be a chance to try out public charging – and might also be an opportunity to try out different makes and models of vehicle, prior to deciding whether to make a purchase. You might think of EV rental as an extended test drive.

Ready to rent? Here are eight ways to make your temporary EV experience a success.

1. Find a trusted rental company

Take time to research providers in you chosen rental location. Look for a rental company with a variety of EVs – especially if you want to road test a specific make and model. It’s also advisable to select companies with transparent pricing, and positive customer reviews.

2. Check availability – and think ahead

It might sound obvious, but double check that the EV you’ve got your eye on is available for your chosen date. As EV awareness continues to grow, it could be wise to book in advance to get your preferred make and model – especially at busy times of year, like school holidays.

3. Read the small print

As with most rental car companies, EV rental businesses have their own terms and conditions, including policies on insurance in case you have an accident, mileage limits, charging fees, and any additional charges. It helps to know what they are before you sign. If in doubt – ask.

4. Tackle your range anxiety

For those new to EV, it can be normal to have concerns about how far you can drive before you need to recharge. There’s even a phrase for it – ‘range anxiety’. Today, however, it’s possible to find EV models that provide a range of more than 200 miles – while some offer more than 300 miles. Still concerned? Read our handy guide to range anxiety here.

5. Plan ahead to feel range confident

Finding charging stations near your rental company, at your destination and along your planned route, can help you feel range confident. Before you hit the road, take time to research EV journey planning tools. You could start by downloading our free app – our live map lets you search for available chargers across the UK, and search by features including connector type and speed.

6. Get charging savvy

Before you head off, take some time to understand how your rented EV charges. Using a bp pulse charger? We’ve put together some handy step by step guides on how to use our chargers to get you started.

7. Get to know your EV

Depending on its make and model, your rental EV might include features that help you to level up your journey. For example, most EVs have ‘regenerative braking’ – a feature that helps to recharge your battery as you brake. Other features to look out for include range estimation, to help you judge how far you can go before your next charge. Building up your EV car expertise can pay off in the long-term, too, if you decide to make the switch to EV more permanent.

8. Give your rental a once-over

When picking up a rental EV, it’s advisable to check for any existing damage – such as dents, scratches, or malfunctioning equipment – just as you would with a petrol or diesel hire car. Make sure you alert your rental provide to any damage before starting your hire and, if you have any concerns, check the terms and conditions of your rental agreement.

We hope you feel even more ready to rent with these tips. Remember you can find us online, on the road, and on the app for ongoing support, insights, and info for your EV journey.