Electric car rental in Europe: charging and travel
Renting an electric car in Europe is not only environmentally friendly, but also saves in your costs. Electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline or diesel, which can lead to significant savings on fuel costs during your trip.
As the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) continues to grow, understanding the charging infrastructure is critical to a successful trip. In this blog, we will look at some popular European countries where you can rent an electric car and understand the charging options available.
Netherlands:
The Netherlands is known as one of the most EV-friendly countries in the world. It has an extensive charging infrastructure with thousands of public charging stations. You will have easy access to fast chargers along highways and in cities, but also many companies where you have an appointment, for example, offer the possibility to charge the car. In that case, though, always check with the company in question to see if it is possible to charge there.
Norway:
Norway is a pioneer in electric mobility and has an impressive network of charging stations. Fast chargers are available in strategic locations, allowing travel through this beautiful country without many charging interruptions. EV drivers also enjoy benefits such as free parking and toll road discounts.
(If you are traveling to Norway in your own car, please register your license plate in advance via Autopass , so your license plate number will be recognized).
Germany:
Germany has invested heavily in charging infrastructure in recent years. The country has numerous charging stations, especially in urban areas and along highways. Charging at your destination can be a bit trickier, my tip is to charge before you leave the highway to avoid any charging stress. Do you have an overnight stay? Then inquire in advance about options for charging your car. More and more hotels have their own charging station. We can also search for hotels where a charging station is available. Please inquire about the possibilities!
France:
France offers a growing network of charging stations, especially in large cities and along major highways. In Paris and other urban areas, you will find several charging options. Keep in mind that some parking lots also have charging stations. I myself took an electric car vacation to France in 2022 and 2023. I noticed that there were significantly more charging points along major highways in 2023 than the year before. There are also charging points at supermarkets, these are then generally not fast chargers, but at almost all gas stations there is a (fast) charging point. Hotel booked? Inquire in advance about charging options.
United Kingdom:
The United Kingdom has also committed to developing an EV infrastructure. There are many public charging points in cities and along freeways, making travel in an electric rental car across England, Scotland and Wales feasible. More and more hotels and accommodations in the United Kingdom are offering charging options for their guests. It is a good idea to inquire in advance if the accommodation has charging points.
To make your trip in a rented electric car in the United Kingdom run smoothly, there are several apps and services available that provide real-time information about charging stations. Popular options include Zap-Map and Ecotricity.
Italy:
Italy has made great strides in electric mobility in recent years, and the country now boasts a growing network of charging stations. In cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice, you can find public charging stations that power electric cars. These are often found in parking lots, parking garages and near shopping malls.
Fast charging stations are available along the highways in Italy. Many hotels and accommodations in Italy offer charging stations for their guests. If you plan to stay in hotels, find out in advance if they have charging facilities. Some Italian cities have special electric city districts where only electric vehicles are allowed. These areas usually have sufficient charging infrastructure
Do you need an environmental sticker in certain European cities?
The answer is: yes!
You'd think with such an environmentally conscious car, you wouldn't need an environmental sticker, but nothing could be further from the truth! In cities where there is this restriction, it applies to all cars, including electric cars. On the road, it is generally clearly indicated as soon as you enter an environmental zone. Ask about the possibilities and, if necessary, order your environmental sticker online in advance.
Cities that require an environmental sticker, for example:
- France: Paris, Lyon, Grenoble, Lille, Toulouse, Reims, Strasbourg, Nice, Marseille
- Spain: Barcelona, Madrid
- Germany: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Cologne, Hanover
The list expands every year, check the latest information before you travel! If you rent a car and plan to drive to a city, check with the rental company if an environmental sticker is available, to avoid surprises and fines afterwards.
Tips:
Preparation: Before you leave, you can use apps and websites that provide real-time information about charging stations. This allows you to plan your trip efficiently and enjoy your adventure in Europe without worry.
App: For example, a useful site/app is Chargemap. Here you can plan your route in advance, the app calculates your average consumption and tells you the best place to charge along the way, super convenient!
Remember: Keep in mind that if you charge an electric car via a fast charger, it charges to about 80% full within 15 minutes depending on battery type. The "other" 20% to 100% takes considerably longer, which is why you often only charge to 80% on the road, keep this in mind with the distance you drive and time you spend.
Charge Card: Many landlords provide a charging pass, however, this varies by landlord. Find out in advance if this is the case, or get your own charge card, you can apply for one for free without a subscription, for example at SME Fuel
Type of Plug
There are 4 types of plugs , 2 for alternating current (AC) that allow charging up to 43 kW and two for direct current (DC) that allow fast charging up to 350 kW. AC charging is often used if you want to charge the car "slowly" all day or night, for example. Along the highway this is not an option and DC charging is used. Most commonly used are CCS and CHAdeMO for fast charging.
CCS:
The CCS plug is an improved version of the Type 2 plug, with two additional power contacts for fast charging. It supports AC and DC charging. It enables charging at up to 350 kW.
CHAdeMO :
Developed in Japan, this fast charging system provides very high charging capacity and bi-directional charging. Currently, Asian car manufacturers are leading the way in offering electric cars compatible with a CHAdeMO plug. It enables charging up to 100 kW.
In conclusion, renting an electric car in Europe offers numerous advantages, but it is important to be aware of charging options in the specific country you are traveling to. If you need a hotel, we can find out for you if the hotel has a charging point. In fact, we can only offer hotels that have a charging point. There is still some "fear" of charging stress when renting an electric car.
From my own experience, I know how annoying charging stress can be, but even this does not take away from the fact that it drives wonderfully and saves costs on fuel prices. And in addition, with a gasoline car you may also experience "gasoline stress." Basically, this is nothing but "refueling" but electric. After all, if you travel in a gasoline car, you also check your fuel levels and take into account where/when you will refuel. In short, give it a try and let us inform about the possibilities!
Travel Well!
Jessica Smit,
Business Travel Consultant
