Rent An Ev And Go Green On Your Next Holiday

None of us can escape the fact that we need to address the environmental issues we are all now facing, and in recent years the transport industry has made big changes to reduce its carbon footprint.

Car hire companies are also jumping on the bandwagon – they realise that very soon petrol and diesel vehicles will be no longer. So, if you are keen to rent a greener alternative for your next holiday, consider an electric car. Rental companies are slowly growing their selection of electric cars, so as long as you’re armed with the basics, you’ll be sure to make the right choice.

The Low Emission Vehicle (EV)

It goes without saying that these motors are much better for the environment than the conventional option and, with absolutely no negative emissions escaping from the tailpipe, they are energy efficient and as green as you’re going to get.

Driving one of these vehicles can also be very relaxing. They handle beautifully and, since they’re battery-powered, they’re wonderfully quiet, too.

Tips for Beginners

Before you sign any paperwork, it is advisable to test-drive your EV to make sure you feel safe and secure. They are different to regular vehicles and can take a little time to get used to. You may need to try a few models before you find one that suits.

As with any trip, planning your route is really important, but it’s actually more important with EVs as these motors need regular charging – not every fuel station has a charging point, either. If you are doing a few miles on your holiday, you will need to stop every now and then to recharge your car, so make sure your route passes enough charging stations.

Another sensible tip is to take out car hire excess insurance. This protects you against any unpredicted incidents that may incur heavy costs not covered by the rental company’s insurance. This is a particularly good idea when driving an EV that you may not be used to driving.

Which Rental Company?

There are plenty of companies offering EVs in their selection, but here are a couple of recommendations.

EVision was the first rental company to offer only electric vehicles. It is the UK’s largest rental firm already but is still growing fast. Some of the most popular motors for EV beginners are the Tesla Self-Driver or the Jaguar I-Pace. They are smooth and very easy to handle.

Alternatively, choose E-Car. This all-electric company has a great selection of vehicles, one of the most popular being the Renault ZOE that let’s you recharge in 30 minutes; just enough time to take a break and have a cup of coffee! The stylish Nissan Leaf also comes highly recommended.

Car Hire Excess Insurance

As with all car hire companies, it is advisable to fully protect yourself in terms of insurance. Most firms offer a minimal insurance policy that often only covers things least likely to go wrong. You may opt for the upgraded policy but this will see you paying a premium compared to an independent insurance company that specialises in offering car hire excess insurance.

Cover yourself and look forward to a worry-free holiday that will see you arriving home with no unexpected fines – just great memories.

Author Plate

Sam Walker is a specialist insurance expert at LowerHire, a company that offers low-cost single trip and annual multi-trip car hire excess insurance policies. Travellers can rest easy knowing they will be fully protected against any hidden hire car costs and look forward to a stress-free rental experience.