Electric Rental Cars and What you Need to Know
It’s 2023 and we are seeing a tipping point on use of electric vehicles. They are starting to show up in more places, and that is good news for those wanting to experience electric cars, especially here in Colorado. Electric car rental demand is changing the car rental business. Many of the big rental companies, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise and National Car Rental offer electric vehicles for your next trip. Don’t forget private options like Turo as well. You will find some amazing cars to rent and many rental locations are popping up.
Hertz in particular has made some big announcements recently. The car rental giant is catalyzing this effort though a public-private collaboration to add charging stations locally along with aptly preparing personnel for incoming career opportunities in this space. Hertz is accelerating the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs), beginning with Denver. Yay for Colorado!
Hertz and their Electric Rental Car Fleet
Hertz, together with the City of Denver, is launching a disruptive initiative designed to improve access to electric vehicles (EVs) through the provision of chargers and educational opportunities. The partnership will involve instruction at an area technical high school certified by Hertz and summer job opportunities in conjunction with Denver’s Youth Employment Program.
Hertz has plans to make a quarter of its half million U.S. fleet into electric vehicles by 2024, for which the partnership with Denver will have a positive effect. They have an agreement to purchase 100,000 EVs from Tesla, 175,000 from General Motors and 65,000 from Polestar
So how is this good for you?
Well for those existing EV owners they can continue their use of their favorite EV while they travel. Electric vehicle (EV) renters can benefit from a low-risk trial before making a full purchase. However, in unfamiliar surroundings, navigating station locations for recharging could be challenging.
Tips on charging stations to know before you go?
Depending on the type and route of your road trip, it is advisable to have a vehicle that can travel at least 250 miles on a charge to prevent frequent stops for recharging . It should be noted that temperature, incline, traffic conditions, speed limits and the usage of A/C or heat all contribute towards battery
Depending on the make and model of your rental vehicle, you’ll need to ensure that you have access to the right kind of charging system. Most EVs are fast-charged using either Level 2 chargers or DC fast charging station (Level 3) to get to a full charge. When renting an EV, you want to make sure that the rental company can provide assistance such as answering inquiries about the vehicle’s specifics, charging instructions and station locations and have knowledgable customer service. This is especially important if it’s your first time driving an EV. Tesla rentals are popular, if you rent one, look for Tesla superchargers.
Want to learn more then check out this article What EV Charging Stations are Available and Locations . If you are new to charging with your electric vehicle here are some things you should know about EV Charger Locations and Etiquette
No matter what kind of vehicle you decide to rent, be sure to get familiar with its battery charging abilities and length, and the availability of charge points. Understanding this comes prior to using it is essential — unlike filling a gas tank, the process for an electric or hybrid car cannot be taken for granted.
Coming to Colorado and will Rent an EV?
If you are coming to the Denver area and rent an EV, you will find you have many places to go and explore. Many places you book to stay with your electric vehicles (EV) will have charging stations. This makes traveling within the car’s range each day and make planning your journey more effortless. More options are constantly being offered by hotels, airbnb’s and even some campgrounds to charge your EV. And you can rest easy driving in Colorado, driving electric is one of the best ways to improve air quality and preserve this beautiful state.
If you want to know what you can do west of town check out options at Foothills Friendly.
Also see Foothills Friendly – Plan your Visit. Places to Stay Outdoor Fun
