All you need to know about charging your rental electric vehicle

Hiring an electric vehicle (EV) is easier than most people think, and once you understand where to charge, how long it takes, and what it costs, the rest of the EV experience is surprisingly straightforward.

If you’re used to filling up with petrol, charging can seem unfamiliar at first, but most new EV drivers adapt quickly as it becomes part of their routine. With a bit of planning, once you get the hand of the process, you’ll stay powered up and enjoy your drive.

Why charging matters on your trip

When you rent an EV, you’re responsible for returning it with the battery charged to an agreed level. Just as with returning a petrol car with the fuel tank filled, rental car providers typically request that an EV is returned with a certain charge level—while the exact level varies between providers, 70% to 80% is common. Knowing how charging works helps you avoid last-minute stress—or unexpected fees if you return an insufficently charged EV.

While Australia’s EV charging network continues to grow at a rapid pace, especially along major highways and in city centres, planning ahead is an important step in making longer road trips manageable.

The three main ways to charge an EV

You’ll usually charge your rental EV in one of the following ways:

AC charging is slower than DC, but ideal if you’re parked for a few hours or overnight. DC fast charging is still slower than filling up a traditional car with petrol, but it’s much faster than AC and thus better suited to road trips.

How long does charging an EV take?

Charging time depends on three primary factors: the battery size of your EV, the charger speed, and how full the battery already is. As a rough guide — and keep in mind, charging gets faster every year:

While all these times are considerably longer than it takes to fill up a traditional car with petrol, EV drivers have plenty of approaches to make the time less of an issue. For example, while charging through a standard power plug is undeniably slow, you’ll barely notice the time taken if you plug in the car before you go to bed—when you wake up in the morning, it’s charged! Likewise four to eight hours at a public AC charger may sound like a lot, but if you plug it in before you go shopping, to the movies, or explore a museum, when you return, the EV will have been charging the entire time.

Also, many drivers top up as they go rather than wait until the EV is fully charged, and this is in part because charging slows down as the battery fills up — stopping at 80% can save you quite a bit of time.

What you’ll need to use public chargers

Most public charging networks require you to:

Some newer chargers accept contactless payment, but not all, and as such it’s wise to set up an account with at least one major charging app before you hit the road.

Your rental EV will typically include the cables you need, and if you’re unsure which cable to use, ask staff at the rental depot to talk you through the charging process.

How much does it cost to charge an EV?

Charging costs vary by provider and location — some accommodation providers may offer complimentary charging, while public chargers usually charge per kWh, per minute, or a combination of the two. Compared to filling up with petrol, charging an EV can be a little cheaper per kilometre than petrol, particularly if you use the slower AC charging method.

Before you plug in, always check the pricing in the charging app — this will help you avoid surprise costs, especially with time-based pricing.

Planning charging stops on a road trip

Good planning makes all the difference, and before you set off, make sure you’re aware of the following:

Many EVs include built-in navigation systems that both indicate the location of nearby chargers and estimate what your battery level will be upon on arrival. Third-party apps likewise offer similar information.

EV charger maps

As mentioned above, EV charger availability grows every year. The following resources work to plot chargers for you to make charging up even easier.

Charging etiquette and practical tips

Public chargers are shared spaces, so be a considerate EV driver and keep the following points in mind:

Returning your rental EV

Your rental agreement will state the required battery level at return — some rental car providers ask for a specified charge level percentage, while others expect the battery to match the pick-up level. Check your rental EV provider’s Terms and Conditions for details.

If you return the vehicle with a lower charge than expected, the rental company may apply a recharge fee. As with petrol cars, it’s usually cheaper to top up yourself before drop-off.

A quick word on range anxiety

It’s normal to worry about running low on charge — especially on your first EV trip. In practice, modern EVs offer ample range for most daily drives, and Australia’s charging network continues to expand.

If you’re considering hiring an EV for your next trip, compare your rental EV options carefully, check the charging network along your route, and allow time to get comfortable with the basics. Once you do, it’s all smooth driving.