Electric Car Hire: A Comprehensive Guide

With the rapid growth of the popularity of Electric Cars and emerging technologies, it really is no wonder so many people are opting for an electric car hire over a conventional car rental. Maybe you’ve noticed this as well and are curious but apprehensive with questions. Can you lease electric cars? Is leasing an electric car a good idea? Undoubtedly, yes!

Aside from the obvious trends in the markets, the sustainability of electric and hybrid vehicles (both environmentally and economically) means that in the long term, electric vehicles can hold their own against conventional gas cars. With all the restrictions being placed on fuel cars, there has never been a better time to ease into the use of an electric vehicle and see why so many drivers are making the switch.

With this guide, you’ll undoubtedly be more informed about how you’ll benefit from an electric-based car including:

What are the advantages of electric car hire?
How to hire an electric car?
What to expect from an electric car
What your options are for electric car hire

Advantages of Hiring an Electric Car

Even beyond the legal incentive of switching to an electric car, there are a plethora of benefits that fuel vehicles simply can’t provide. The most obvious being the environmental impact, or more accurately the lack thereof. It is no secret that fossil fuels aren’t great for the environment, no matter how necessary they are. But by doing what we can and eventually removing the pollution caused by cars, the effect would by no means be negative!

In terms of how much you’ll save, cheap monthly costs mean cheaper overall costs – more money saved for being environmentally friendly. There may be some confusion on how that money is saved with the seemingly high initial price point. Put simply, an average 250-mile battery life can be charged from completely flat to full in the UK for around £15. With the average UK home electricity rate of 28p/Kwh, all in all, that’s about 9p per mile.

Naturally, all new things have a downside and improvements that could be made to electric vehicles:

They require getting used to – Getting out of the habit of fuelling with gas and the overall “feel” of an electric car compared to a gas one. It may not seem natural at first but is fundamentally the same.
Charging stations – If you’re not able to charge your electric vehicle at home, it may mean a trip to whichever the nearest charging station is.
Long-distance travel – likewise with the charging stations, if you’re planning on a consistently long journey, an electric car may not be able to complete the journey.

Tips for Smooth Rentals on Electric Car Hire

If you are looking to try an Electric Car, the next time you need some road travel – it has never been easier to manage your travel. As of December 2023, there has been an over 45% increase in the number of charging ports from last year. If you’re unable to charge an electric at home, there are over 53,000 charging points available in the UK. If you are planning on travelling within the UK in an electric car, it is best to make sure there are available charging facilities along your journey.

The journey length is also something to consider when deciding which electric car would be most suitable. If for example, the distance you’re planning to travel is a short back and forth – an electric car is a perfect option. Low charging costs mean that (with the ever-growing fuel prices) for getting from A to B, is as simple as plugging in along the way. This can prove particularly beneficial when hiring an electric, saving you on having to spend more on fuel than the car itself. Electric car rentals from Indigo will of course come with sufficient charge.

You may have some concerns even if you do manage to find an electric charging port. How long does charging an electric vehicle take? Generally, most electric vehicles can be charged to 80% of their max capacity in under an hour; keep in mind that 80% can be upwards of 120 miles. As such, the speed for charging is by no means slow and a quick stop every couple of hours at the most will prove more than sufficient to stay topped off.

How Do Electric Cars Differ in Terms of Driving Performance?

In terms of practical driving, electric vehicles have very good acceleration in comparison to Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) due to their direct connection to the high torque motors. This extends to the actual efficiency of the engine, with electric motors producing far less heat in regard to energy output. This results in far more efficient energy usage.

This torque power can be a lifesaver during the winter season. Without any gears, the present torque means navigating through the ice and snow should be easier than with a conventional ICE. In exchange for this acceleration, electrically powered vehicles often can’t reach the full speed of gas-fuelled cars. Of course, most drivers aren’t going to be planning on reaching 200 mph and the acceleration alone can make for an outright enjoyable driving experience.

What Electric Cars to Choose

If all this sounds appealing to you and you’re that ever bit more interested in trying one for yourself; Indigo has no shortage of options for you. Now there’s only the hard part, which is the best electric car to lease? Making a choice, especially when you may not have experience with one can be a difficult decision to make. In my opinion, however, there is no wrong decision when it comes to trying out an electric vehicle. From our options, the electric cars available to hire are:

BMW I8
BMW I3
Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Jaguar I-Pace
Nissan Leaf
Peugeot iOn Electric
Renault Zoe
Smart ForTwo Electric
Tesla Model S
Tesla Model X
VW E-Golf
VW UP Electric

If it’s general travel you’re looking for on a budget, the Peugeot Ion Electric is an excellent first choice. Small, manurable and at a great price; there is no better taster for what an electric car is capable of. Although not fitted with the advanced systems of recent models, it is by no means a bad choice.

Though maybe you’re travelling as a group, be it with family or friends and are in need of something reliable. In this case, the Nissan Leaf could be a perfect fit for travel. With space that is more than suitable for multiple passengers, there’ll be no discomfort for anyone. With heated seats and an inbuilt monitor view, whatever features you could need from a car are there.

How To Hire An Electric Car

From everything here, you should have no issue in preparing yourself for choosing and driving an electric car. Fundamentally they are almost identical to ICE and if you don’t have experience with electric cars, the transition will not be difficult.

Perhaps on your next vacation, why adventure a little and try something out of your comfort zone? Indigo will of course do whatever we can to make sure you have a good experience as we have with other customers; in fact, our other services can help get you out on the road faster:

If you are unsure of which of these services may be most appropriate for you – feel free to contact us or send us an email at [email protected] and call us at +44 (0)113 880 0748.

Working in the marketing for Indigo, there is always something to learn about when it comes to seeing the world and the best way to do so.