Europcar changes battery charging policy for electric vehicles

Europcar has revised its battery charging policy for electric vehicle (EV) rentals to help build business and consumer confidence.

At the start of a rental, EVs will be provided with at least 80% charge, while drivers will only be required to return the electric car or van with just 20% charge. 

“If you’re rushing to drop off a vehicle to catch a flight or a train, the last thing you want is to be searching for a suitable charger and waiting for the car to recharge, which is required by most rental companies,” said Tom Middleditch, head of electric mobility at Europcar Mobility Group UK. 

“Our goal is to support more people to rent electric – for a real-world test drive to give them the confidence to make the switch. We have, therefore, simplified the process.” 

As a result, Middleditch suggests that for some rental journeys it is unlikely the battery will even need to be topped up before returning the vehicle. 

“For those that do it should not take more than five or 10 minutes for any of our EVs to reach 20%,” he added.

With two-thirds (65%) of its rental stations equipped with EV chargers, Europcar says it can maximise fleet availability and reduce hassle for drivers by charging vehicles after they have been returned. 

The Europcar Assistance Tool also enables customers to easily find the nearest charger while on their journey. 

Middleditch continued: “For many, the charging experience is one of the big barriers to considering electric. 

“We understand that hesitation, it’s new to most people so we’re here to provide support. 

“Our charging policy is designed to remove barriers to EV rental, enabling more people to give it a try and allay their fears around charging and battery range. 

“At Europcar we have found that driving an EV is the best way to dispel myths and gain the knowledge that gives drivers confidence to go electric. 

“With a detailed handover at collection, even first time EV drivers can be confident as they take to the road.”

Last month, Europcar announced it was introducing price parity between EVs and their equivalent petrol or diesel models.  

Effective from this month (April), business account holders are able to rent EVs at the same price as their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts.

To date, renting an EV has generally been more expensive than petrol or diesel models, because of the higher purchase cost of electric vehicles. 

Europcar – which was voted Rental Company of the Year at this year’s Fleet News Awards – is hoping to encourage more businesses to start their electric journey by renting electric rather than committing to lease or purchase.