I'm heading down to Melb in the next few weeks and organising a car rental. To my surprise, some EV options are actually cheaper compared to ICE car. I'm unsure regarding their return policy (Europcar) as the website provides some conflicting info - T&C says I have to return it at least 80% charged and other page says it's 20%.
Does anyone have experience renting EV from Europcar?
Hmm.. rang them. Head office (1300 XX number) says 80% but has no clue on charging fee, the branch says 20% is fine and no fee will be charged. Just wanted to hear some first hand experience if anyone here has done it
The branch is the place you are returning it to….. So go with that.
Do people thrash the crap outta these rentals?
FAQ is pretty clear that you can return it with any capacity remaining without penalty.
https://www.ev.europcar.com.au/faq/how-full-should-the-batte…
I'd also print that out and also keep it on file.
Right? I saw that too then the T&C p. 14 says you need to return it at least 80%
When returning an electric Vehicle You must ensure that the Vehicle battery charge level is no less than 80% and if You return the Vehicle with a battery charge level of less than 80% You must pay the charging cost to bring it to that level, plus a service fee.
I hired one from Syd back in March and they said aim for 50-80%
Their website is full of contradictions tho
Yeah and their staff seem to not have a single answer
The chat I had was more around just 'do us a favour so we can flip the car quickly' rather than how much they'd charge me.
This was a personal trip but I book a lot for work with Europcar and it's a pretty big disincentive if I have to try and find an extra half an hour in my day to charge a car before I return it (on top of what a dogs breakfast the rental situation is at SYD Domestic)
For hire car, stick to Tesla, for other car's, charging stations along the high way are inconsistent and some of them aren't even working.
To my surprise, some EV options are actually cheaper compared to ICE car.
Nothing surprising there unless you got sweet time charging.
Melb won't be too bad, also charging doesn't take long at all. My last EV rental came with free chargefox charging token, it might have been thrifty?. Plenty of chargefox chargers in melbourne for OP
unless you got sweet time charging
Exactly. I'm not as tempted if I have to return it 80% charged without incurring what I believe to be ridiculous fee
Call the branch where you want to hire and ask them. Every car rental place is a franchise. They're all separately owned businesses and may have their own policies.
I rented an MG4 from Europcar from the Tullamarine airport. They told me to return with it around 20%. I enjoyed driving it so much I ended up purchasing one.
Awesome thanks for sharing!
I rent from Sixt and they gave free charging token to charge and no need to top up. So technically its a free fuel
Hmm.. If only you could ask them