Zipcar EV
Zipcar EV

Trying an EV for the First Time with Zipcar

 

Move aside petrol - electric vehicles (EVs for short) are picking up the pace! EV solutions have become more practical, and are now more accessible than ever before. Over the past 5 years, Zipcar has been providing more and more drivers with access to electric vehicles.   Launched in 2018 with an initial fleet of 325, that number has grown to over 1000 in 2023. EVs have become increasingly popular in recent years. You might’ve thought about driving one yourself. Get the lowdown on renting an electric car for the first time through this guide.

 

 

The Benefits of Renting an EV

There’s plenty to gain from renting an electric car. From zero emissions to a smoother ride, here are the top benefits of switching to electric. 

 

Less Hassle

zipcar flex in london

Less Hassle

There’s a lot of debate online about how well an EV runs and the costs associated with it. It’s completely understandable to have concerns, especially if you’ve only ever driven petrol or diesel cars. If you rent an electric car however, you won’t have to worry about vehicle care, charging, or anything else that comes with owning an EV for that matter. Book with Zipcar and we’ll do all the work for you - giving you all the benefits of driving an EV without any of the hassle.

Lower Emissions

car emissions

Lower Emissions

One of the key benefits that’s sure to come to mind when talking about EVs is their impact on the planet. Fully electric cars don’t emit CO2 out of an exhaust, unlike petrol and diesel vehicles. Even taking into account the energy demands of charging a vehicle, EVs still typically have a lower carbon footprint.1 EVs can therefore be better for the environment, reducing air pollution and helping you do your bit for the planet.

No Congestion Charge

congestion charge sign

No Congestion Charge

With lower emissions also comes fewer charges. Thanks to the Cleaner Vehicles Discount, EVs that meet TfL’s criteria could be eligible for a 100% discount on the London Congestion Charge. This benefit ends in December 2025, after which all vehicles will have to pay the full amount. However, when renting an electric car with Zipcar, we cover the Congestion Charge for you. By renting an EV from us you’ll never have to worry about this fee when zipping around in our fleet.

A More Relaxing Drive

zipcar flex in london

A More Relaxing Drive

EVs don’t have internal combustion engines, meaning they’re much quieter than traditional petrol or diesel vehicles. This can make car journeys more enjoyable for you and everyone else in the car. The majority of EVs are also automatic, meaning no clutch or gears to deal with. This can often make an EV feel smoother to drive.

Renting an Electric Car: Things to Consider


When renting an electric car, a lot can be taken care of for you (e.g., charging, maintenance and congestion zone charges). That said, there are still a few things to consider when trying one out for the first time.

How Much Does it Cost to Rent an Electric Car?

person calculating costs

How Much Does it Cost to Rent an Electric Car?

The cost of renting an electric car will depend on where you’re going as well as who you rent from. At Zipcar, our EVs are available from £0.31 per minute, or £14 per hour. When thinking of who to rent an EV from, it’s important to evaluate all of the ways the provider will help you cut costs. For example, we’ll pay for charging, insurance, breakdown cover and congestion zone fees - handy for when the Cleaner Vehicles Discount scheme ends.

 

How Do You Rent an Electric Car?

zipcar flex

How Do You Rent an Electric Car?

You can rent an electric car from Zipcar’s fleet through our app. All you have to do is log in, go to our Book a Car page and search the best cars for you. You can hire Zipcar’s EVs by the minute or hour. All of our EVs are available for Flex trips, meaning you can pick them up in one area of London and drop it off somewhere else - just make sure you drop off in our Zipzone.  

 

How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Car?

woman charging an EV

How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Car?

Charging an EV can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. Exactly how long it’ll take depends on the vehicle, the battery it has and the charger's power. There are a few different types of EV chargers, including ultra-rapid, rapid, fast and slow. You’ll have to check which chargers your vehicle is compatible with before plugging one in.

 

Generally speaking, the bigger the kW, the quicker your car will charge. If you can, it’s best to opt for a rapid charger (anything that’s 50kW or higher) to get your vehicle charged up quickly - a full charge with this charger takes anywhere up to 40 minutes. The exact speed you’ll be able to charge an EV will depend on its charging rate capacity as well as other factors like how full the battery is. When you hire an electric car with Zipcar, you won’t have to worry about running out of charge - we do the charging for you!

 

Where Can I Charge My Electric Car?

electric car being charged

Where Can I Charge My Electric Car?

There are a few different places you can charge an electric car. You can find a comprehensive list of places to charge an EV on apps like Zap Map (which shows you 95%+ of the charging points across the UK). At Zipcar, we charge our EVs for you, but if you do find yourself needing to recharge the car, head over to the nearest rapid charging point. If you use our EVs as intended, it’s rare to find yourself in this situation, but if you do, we’ll refund you the cost for charging.

How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last?

zipcar flex in london

How Long Do Electric Car Batteries Last?

When fully charged, an electric car battery can last anywhere from 100 to 300 miles. Both the battery life and how far the car will go on a ‘full tank’ depends on the type of EV you’re renting out.

What to Expect When Trying Out an EV


There are a few ways EVs differ from traditional cars. When renting an electric car for the first time, here’s what to expect.

 

 

 

A Smoother Drive

zipcar app

A Smoother Drive

While driving a manual car becomes second nature after a while, EVs are simpler to operate from the get-go. Without multiple gears to deal with, all you have to do is hop in, buckle up and press the start button. Thanks to their electric motor and regenerative braking system, EVs also accelerate and slow down more efficiently than traditional cars - which can result in a much smoother drive from start to finish.

More Comfortable

zipcar EV flex

More Comfortable

EVs aren’t just the freshest face on the motor market - they’re also one of the most comfortable. The electric motor keeps drives nice and quiet, with much less vibration than you’d expect from a conventional vehicle. As one of the most modern styles of car, you’ll also find EVs kitted out with useful amenities. With Zipcar’s EV range, you can expect a sat nav, heated seats and driver assistance technology.

Zipcar’s Electric Car Fleet

 

Why not hire an electric car from Zipcar? We have the UK’s largest rentable electric car fleet, with an additional 400+ new EVs in the last year alone. With our electric car hire, you can choose between popular models and get a proper feel for the EV experience.

 

VW E-Golf

First in our electric car hire range is the VW E-Golf, coming in the classic Golf style with a modern finish. Inside, the car is spacious and stylish, with electric blue stitching on the steering wheel. The E-Golf has a Car Net Mirrorlink system, allowing you to access your phone’s (Android and Apple) entertainment apps through the dashboard. There’s also climate control to keep you warm in the winter and cool in summer.

 

Kilowats: 134

0 - 62mph: in under 10 seconds.

How far can it go fully charged? 144 miles

Assistance tech: Blind Spot Sensor, Adaptive Cruise Control, Park Assist and Traffic Jam Assist.

Hyundai Ioniq

Next up for those looking to hire an electric car with us - the Hyundai Ioniq. The Ioniq is a sleek-looking model owing to its streamlined shape and a clean interior with loads of cool features. There’s heating in both the seats and the steering wheel, along with climate control to keep you comfortable, whatever the weather. The Ioniq also has a touchscreen with navigation and Bluetooth.

 

Kilowats: 134

0 - 62: in under 10 seconds

How far can it go fully charged? 194 miles

Assistance tech: Lane Keep Assist (warns drivers when they could be drifting out of a lane), Blind Spot Detection, Autonomous Emergency Braking and Smart Cruise Control.

Vauxhall Corsa-e

The Vauxhall Corsa-e is another top EV to explore. It’s got a sporty style both inside and out, with a Sport driving mode that increases the vehicle’s responsiveness and sensitivity to the driver. Inside, the car has a touchscreen with navigation features, and can also hook up to your phone - perfect for listening to music, audiobooks or podcasts on roadtrips. 

 

Kilowats: 134

0 - 60: 7.6 seconds

How far can it go fully charged? 222 miles

Assistance tech: Traffic Sign Recognition, Side Blind Spot Alert, Keep Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is the most recent addition to our fleet and is a great choice for those who want an environmentally friendly car, comfortable to drive, and loaded with advanced features. Electric cars are known for their quiet and smooth ride, and the Leaf is no exception. The Leaf provides a peaceful driving experience with no engine noise or vibration.

 

Kilowats: 147

0 - 60: 7.7 seconds

How far can it go fully charged? 226 miles

Assistance tech: touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth connectivity, and a rearview camera.

Looking to try out an electric car without committing to a purchase or long-term lease?

Look no further than Zipcar! With our fleet of electric cars, you can experience the thrill of driving emission-free without any of the hassle. Simply reserve your electric car through our app, and hit the road. Experience the future of driving today with Zipcar and help reduce your carbon footprint, one ride at a time

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