Car rental companies for private customers: how to rent an electric car and travel green

Electric cars have long since become exotic for technology enthusiasts. They are becoming a common part of the roads in Europe and Slovakia, and naturally they are also appearing in rental fleets. For households, individuals and families, renting an electric car opens up a whole new range of possibilities - from eco-friendly travel, to testing e-mobility in practice, to making smart financial decisions. In this article, we look at how green car rental works, what your options are as a private customer, what the trends are, and what to consider from an investment perspective.

E-mobility in numbers: why it's worth caring about

Europe is one of the most important markets for electric vehicles today. The share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids in new car sales has been steadily around one fifth of all registrations in recent years. This means that around one in five new cars in Europe has a plug-in.

In Slovakia, the growth is even more dynamic, albeit based on a smaller base. The number of registered battery electric cars is growing by tens of percent year-on-year and we already have tens of thousands of electric cars on the road. Electric vans and light commercial vehicles are also gradually being added, which is important for families dealing with moving, sport, hobbies or business alongside employment.

What does this imply for the average person?

• E-mobility is no longer an experiment, but a standard choice alongside petrol and diesel.
• Charging infrastructure is improving - fast chargers are being added on motorways, in shopping malls and in larger cities.
• The pressure to reduce emissions means that support and incentives for low-emission vehicles will continue in the long term (both regulatory and fiscal).

For car rental companies, this means that they are adding more and more electric and hybrid cars to their offer. For private customers, this is an ideal opportunity to try out an electric car without having to immediately invest tens of thousands of euros in their own vehicle.

What options a private customer has: from a one-day rental to a long-term solution

From the point of view of the average person, there are several typical ways to use an electric car via a car rental company today:

Short-term rental (one day to several weeks)

A classic car rental company like AVIS is ideal if you need a car for a short period of time:

• A weekend trip with the family,
• a holiday in Slovakia or abroad,
• a replacement for your own car in the workshop,
• a "test drive" with an electric car before a possible purchase.

Advantages:

• Flexibility - you order the car only when you really need it.
• Quick availability - the car is ready within a few minutes to a day.
• No worries - the price already includes compulsory insurance, accident insurance, a vignette for the Slovak Republic and assistance.

Medium-term rental (months to 1-2 years)

AVIS MaxiRent products are interesting for private customers who don't want to deal with a classic lease but need a car for longer than a few days:

• Transition period (e.g. waiting for the delivery of a new vehicle),
• more intensive travel at a particular time in your life (young child, building a house, caring for parents),
• working on projects away from home.

For electric vehicles, this makes sense especially if you want to try e-mobility for longer but don't want to take on the technical and market risks (battery price development, residual values, subsidy changes).

Operating leasing for individuals

Operational leasing, which is covered in the AVIS portfolio by AVIS Lease for example, is more of a long-term solution (usually 3-5 years). It is interesting for private customers if they do not want to own a car but want to have it available for a long time without the worries of servicing and selling.

For electric cars, it can be a good option for people who:

• drive regularly and have the option of home or business charging,
• want to drive green and have stable monthly costs,
• do not want to deal with financing the purchase and later sale of a used EV.

Why rent an electric car rather than buy one outright

Buying an electric car is still a big investment. Average prices for new electric cars in Europe are in the tens of thousands of euros and technology is evolving rapidly. For the private customer, this raises several questions:

• What will be the residual value of the car in 5-7 years?
• How much will it cost to replace the battery, if necessary?
• Will today's models still have competitive range and technology in a few years?

Renting an electric car through a car rental company significantly reduces these risks:

• You are not investing capital in the asset, you are only paying for the use of the service (OPEX).
• The technical risk is borne by the rental company - if the technology or value of the vehicle changes, that's their problem, not yours.
• You are always driving a relatively new car - the fleet is replaced regularly.
• You don't have to deal with servicing, tyres or insurance - it's all included.

So for many households, it is a sensible strategy:

• Owning one main car (often still a combustion car),
• and rent an electric car as needed - for city drives, road trips, business trips or family holidays.

That way, you can combine the benefits of both worlds, while gradually finding out if e-mobility suits you well enough to make the switch to all-electric ownership worthwhile.

Green travel in practice: what to think about when hiring an electric car

When renting an electric car, the key issues are slightly different from those of a conventional car with an internal combustion engine. A good green car rental company will help you with these when you book.

1. Range and type of roads

• Urban and suburban driving: most modern electric cars can handle 250-400 km per charge in real traffic, which is more than enough for a normal day.
• Motorway routes: at higher speeds the range decreases. If you're planning a trip to Croatia or Italy, it's worth choosing a model with a larger battery and planning to charge at fast chargers.

When booking, it's a good idea to describe your itinerary - an experienced car rental consultant can help you choose the right vehicle category.

2. Charging: where and how

Before taking delivery of the car, ask about:

• connector type (standard CCS2 for DC fast charging and Type 2 for AC),
• supported charging networks and cards (e.g. ZSE, GreenWay, Shell, Ionity - depending on where you will be driving),
• whether the car rental company provides charging cards or apps with better tariffs.

A good green car hire company will also explain at what level of charge you should return the car (e.g. 70-80% SoC) and how any charges for returning it with an empty battery will apply.

3. Comfort and safety for families

When choosing an electric car for a family holiday, look for similar parameters as for a conventional car:

• trunk size and the ability to fold down the rear seats,
• Isofix anchors for child seats,
• adaptive cruise control and assistance systems,
• comfortable seating and rear seat space.

Many modern electric cars are very well equipped in this respect and the quiet running makes them particularly pleasant for longer journeys with children.

Trends: what's happening in e-mobility and car rental

European policy pressure for lower emissions is forcing both manufacturers and large fleet players (including car rental companies) to increase the share of low-emission cars in their fleets. The result:

• The rapid addition of electric cars in fleets, including the rent-a-car segment,
• the promotion of electric cars through promotional offers, discount codes or service packages,
• a wider choice of models - from city cars to family crossovers to premium SUVs.

From a private customer's point of view, this means:

• you can increasingly rent an electric car at a price comparable to a conventional car,
• you can compare different makes and models in real life, not just in a configurator,
• renting is becoming the easiest way to get a feel for e-mobility without a long-term commitment.

How to choose a green car rental: a handy check-list

When choosing a car rental company that offers electric cars, we recommend looking in particular at the following criteria:

1. The breadth of the electric car range
   • Different segments (city car, family crossover, van),
   • up-to-date models with reasonable range.
2. Transparent pricing
   • Clear indication of what is included (insurance, motorway, assistance),
   • clear surcharges (young driver, second driver, overdrive, overcharging).
3. Digital process
   • Online booking option with instant confirmation,
   • electronic signing of the contract and acceptance report,
   • fast vehicle availability (tens of minutes to units of hours).
4. Charging support
   • Clear instructions on how and where to charge,
   • possible charging cards or discounted tariffs,
   • helpful customer service to advise on problems.
5. Assistance and a spare vehicle
   • 24-hour assistance in the event of a breakdown or accident,
   • the possibility of a replacement vehicle should a problem arise.

AVIS on the Slovak market already meet most of these criteria: they offer new vehicles, a digital rental process and a complete service included in the price. However, it is important to check the details - especially charging conditions and mileage limit - with each specific booking.

Investment insight: how renting an electric car can save money

From a family budget perspective, it's important to think of a car not as a status, but as a mobility service. This is doubly true for electric cars.

Model 1: I own a combustion car, I rent an electric car

• I use my internal combustion car for everyday journeys where I can't (or don't want to) deal with charging,
• I rent an electric car for weekends and holidays,
• I can reduce my fuel costs and emissions significantly each year.

The advantage is that I don't incur additional fixed costs - I only pay for the electric car when I actually use it.

Model 2: I own an electric car, I lease it to deal with special situations

• I use the EV for city and regional driving,
• when moving, on long motorway journeys or driving to regions with poorer infrastructure, I rent a conventional or commercial vehicle for a short period of time,
• combining the low running costs of an electric car with the versatility of conventional cars and vans.

Model 3: No car - 100% mobility through rentals

This model is increasingly common, especially in cities:

• Instead of owning your own car, you use a combination of short-term rentals, carsharing and public transport,
• your monthly costs can be lower than owning, especially if you drive relatively little,
• you rent an electric car when you want to travel green or enter low-emission zones.

From an investment point of view, this means one thing: instead of tying up capital in an asset, you only pay for a service that you will actually use. In an era of rapid technological change and uncertain residual values of electric vehicles, this can be an extremely sensible decision.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much does it cost to rent an electric car for a day?

The price depends on the vehicle category, the length of the rental and the season. Smaller city EVs usually cost similar to conventional petrol cars in the same class, with the daily price dropping significantly for longer rentals (e.g. a week). You can always find specific prices directly in the car rental company's online booking system.

Is it possible to drive abroad with a rented electric car?

Most major rental companies allow you to drive within the EU, but it's important to check the terms and conditions beforehand - for example, whether foreign motorway tolls are included and what charging networks are available. We recommend planning your route in the app with charging points before you travel.

What about charging during the rental?

As standard, you take delivery of your car with a charged battery and are expected to return it with a similar level of charge. You can charge at home (if you have a wallbox or outdoor outlet), at public AC chargers, or at fast chargers along highways and major routes. The rental car company will explain which networks and cards you can use when you pick up.

Is renting an electric car suitable for family holidays?

Yes, more and more families are choosing an electric car for longer holidays. It is important to choose a model with sufficient range and to plan charging stops in advance. On long journeys, it's still worth taking breaks - instead of the traditional refuelling, you can use them to charge and relax.

Do I need a special licence or insurance?

No. A standard Group B licence is sufficient to drive an electric car. Insurance (third-party and breakdown insurance) is included in the rental price as standard, just like for cars with an internal combustion engine. However, we recommend that you read the excess conditions.

Summary / TL;DR

• Renting an electric car is an ideal way to try out e-mobility without immediately investing in your own car.
• Car rental companies like AVIS are adding more and more electric cars to their fleets, allowing you to choose the model that suits your needs.
• Green car hire also handles charging, insurance and roadside assistance, so you can focus on the journey itself.
• From an investment point of view, renting is more flexible and less risky than buying an electric car outright, especially with the rapid evolution of technology.
• The combination of owning your own car and occasionally renting an EV may be the optimal solution for many households for years to come.

Keywords and entities

Main keywords:

• electric cars
• e-mobility / e-mobility
• electric car rental
• green travel
• green car rental
• short-term rental
• medium-term rental
• operating leasing

Related entities and terms:

• AVIS, AVIS MaxiRent, AVIS Lease
• car rental Bratislava, airport car rental
• battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEV)
• charging station, fast charger, AC/DC charging
• vignette, car insurance, assistance
• residual value, investment risk, TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
• urban mobility, corporate mobility, carsharing, fleet sharing