Can I rent an electric car in Australia?

If you’re off on holiday, or you just want to try before you buy, what are your options for renting an electric car in Australia?

There’s a lot of buzz around electric cars in Australia as more options finally come to our shores at a wider range of price points.

If you want to know what all the fuss is about but you’re not ready to walk into a dealership, renting offers an easy way to get behind the wheel of an electric car today.

Remember, if you’re going on a long road trip, make sure you check whether there are charging stations along the route before you commit to hiring an electric car.

Australia’s electric vehicle (EV) charging network is growing in rural and regional Australia, so you’re pretty safe unless you’re really getting off the beaten track – but it pays to plan ahead.

Here’s everything else you need to know about how to rent an electric car in Australia…

Which rental car companies have electric cars in Australia?

We’re not yet at the point where every Australian car rental provider offers the option of an electric car, but a few of the big nationwide players are on board.

Sixt offers the most comprehensive range of electric car rentals among the major players in Australia. Europcar, Hertz and Avis are the other large rental companies that can set you up with an electric car today.

As for the smaller car rental services, your options include East Coast Car Rentals, Evee and Drive Zero.

If you’ve never driven an electric car before, it’s worth arriving at the pick up point a little early so they can run you through things like how to start the car and how to recharge the car.

How do I rent a Tesla in Australia

Yes, you can rent a Tesla in Australia. Tesla models are offered at certain locations by providers including Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Europcar, East Coast Car Rentals, Evee and Drive Zero.

The Tesla Model 3 starts at around $150 per day to rent. You’ll need the Tesla app and an account if you want to use Tesla’s charger network.

Renting the Tesla Model 3 will cost you roughly $150 a day, but this varies depending on the rental provider you choose.

How much does it cost to rent an electric car?

Prices vary depending on the make and model car, as well as the size and the age of the car.

At the budget end of the scale, you’ll pick up a BYD Atto 3 for around $100 per day. You’ll find some EVs for even less via the Evee car-sharing service.

The price goes up as your taste gets more expensive, and you’re looking at around $360 a day for a luxury large EV like the BMW iX3.

How much will it cost to charge an electric rental car?

Just like buying petrol, the cost to fully recharge your electric car will vary depending on the size of the battery (thus the range of the car) and where you fill up – faster level 3 chargers, for example, tend to cost more than level 1 or 2 chargers that top up your car’s battery at a slower rate.

Generally speaking, a full recharge for an EV with an average battery size would cost around $15 at a level 2 charger or $35 at a level 3 charger.

It’s worth asking the rental company whether they offer special charging deals. For example, Sixt offers free charging via the Chargefox network.

Additionally, rental providers will likely have rules requiring your rental to have a minimum amount of battery capacity left upon its return, much like they do for the fuel tank in petrol or diesel cars. Make sure you check this before you face extra costs.