Renting an EV
Renting an EV is a great way to test the technology to see if it works for your situation. Almost all car rental agencies carry EVs in their inventory making it easier to find and rent. Consider renting an EV for at least one week and use the vehicle as you would normally. So, if it is just the commuter car, use it to commute to work; if it will be used for travel, consider making a trip beyond the range of the vehicle to test how you might recharge it on the road. Rent a vehicle you think you might buy because not all EVs are the same. If it doesn’t suit your needs, consider renting a different vehicle. If you cannot find the brand of vehicle you are interested in through typical rental agencies, peer-to-peer rental platforms may be a better option. These platforms allow you to rent a personal vehicle from another individual and may open the door to greater options.

- The Tesla charger for the EU has the capability to use either or NACS or CCS. It is different but in a positive way.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) (J1772 Connector)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) (J1772 Connector), this car has two modes of operation,
electric while the battery has a charge, then it reverts to gas. Typically, this will give you the first
15-75 miles on electric which is the average daily drive distance. So, unless you have a heavy
commute you will be driving on electric 70% of the time or more.
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) (CCS Adapter)
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) (CCS Adapter) all non-Tesla vehicles have adopted this as the
standard for their high-speed charging. This will change over time but most vehicles have a
J1772 port too so that you can use both. Beware, the Nissan leaf currently use CHAdeMO which
is currently being phased out. All leafs do have a J1772 port built in.
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) (NACS Adapter)
BEV (NACS Adapter) is only Tesla; however, most car manufacturers have adopted this standard and will be converting. Until this occurs, likely 2025, only Tesla vehicles will be able to use a NACS charging cable. Once Tesla opens up their superchargers, an adapter will be required. Ultimately, non-Tesla will integrate a NACS capability in addition to or as an alternative to CCS.
First, speak with your rental agent about any specific requirements or recommendations they may have. From details specific to the vehicle you’re renting, to payment requirements, or partnerships they may have with EV charging providers, the agent is a great place to start.
Know where the charging port is before you go to charge. Is it in the back or the front, left or right side? This will be important to ensure the charging port is close enough to the charging station. This is no different than a regular gas vehicle pulling into the gas station.
To find charging stations, mobile applications such as PlugShare, or the vehicle’s navigation system, can identify nearby locations or those along your travel route. In many cases, these options will also provide directions, if there is a cost to charge (some are free), surrounding businesses and personal reviews. They can also identify stations that are not working. Filters in the application will allow you to find the right connector type for your car.
Choose a charging location that may have other amenities. This is a good opportunity to have lunch, shop, take a break from driving while you charge the vehicle. Plan your longer trips around your breaks and charge your vehicle at the same time. Be careful to see if the charging station has a penalty for staying beyond 100%, these penalties can be costly if you decide to have a leisurely lunch
Visit our HOW TO CHARGE page to learn more about charging an EV, including the different connector types.
You’ll also find an interactive charging station locator to help you become more familiar with type of information you’ll have available.
- Contrary to gas stations don’t try to fill to the brim and get as much range as you can. As the car fills it takes longer to deliver a charge. So, the first 80% of the fill can take as much time as the last 20%. If you have the time to do a full fill when you are on an extended trip, use it, enjoy lunch at the same time but beware of potential penalty fees if you stay beyond 100%. If you have the ability to gain a full charge overnight, take advantage of a full battery every morning.
- If you pull into a high-speed charging station with multiple open chargers, try to avoid using a charger immediately next to another car. Quite often the charging stations are paired, meaning if two cars are parked next to each other they share the power, and it may take longer to charge.
- Don’t overstay, charging stations are precious commodities and need to be shared. Once you have a sufficient charge, move on and let someone else take your place. And, some charging stations charge a penalty if you remain connected after you achieve 100% full.