Renting an EV - tips, tricks and suggestions?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Renting an EV - tips, tricks and suggestions?

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Blurtie

432 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3124156 6-Sep-2023 13:03

jonathan18: The Supercharger recognises the car so there’s no need to do anything special; billing will be linked to the ‘owner - ie the rental company - which should then logically add the cost of any charging you do to your own bill (but doesn’t always seem to do, going by posts above).

As such, the actual charging experience should be no different to anyone else - rock up, set your charging limit, press the button on the handle to open the charging port (or open it via the car’s screen), stick it in, and you’re away. (You can always adjust the charging limit or stop charging early if you want to.)

If they’re just providing you with the access card (the equivalent of a conventional key) then there’ll be no need to create a Tesla account.

Thanks! Good to know that I can just rock up and it'll just work. Will also have a chat with the rental car company to confirm - as an earlier poster mentioned they weren't charged for using a supercharger!

Mighty Ape

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Mehrts

857 posts

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#3124234 6-Sep-2023 18:11

Yep, rock up, plug in and you're away. That's what makes the Tesla Supercharging experience different from every other charging provider.

When I queried Avis in Chch about how the billing for supercharging works, I was met with blank stares and someone behind the counter said that it was paid for via ChargeNet which was totally wrong.

So I thought I'd try it anyway and see what happens. Well, I was never billed for the two separate occasions I rented the Teslas, so I'd say it's a perk of the hire?

Thinking about buying a Tesla? Feel free to use my referral link to get a few good perks when you order!

Blurtie

432 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3124636 7-Sep-2023 14:39

Here's hoping it's a rental perk!

We have been looking for accom with EV charging friendly facilities, but might make an effort to try out a supercharger (for the experience) and report back on whether we were charged or not.

jonathan18

6988 posts

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#3124644 7-Sep-2023 15:05

Blurtie:

We have been looking for accom with EV charging friendly facilities, but might make an effort to try out a supercharger (for the experience) and report back on whether we were charged or not.

As ideal as that sounds, I honestly don't believe it's worth the effort of limiting accommodation choices based on whether they provide charging facilities or not; take it from people here on this forum that charging while on holiday isn't something to get stressed about - we did over two weeks of travelling around the SI as far south as Te Anau, and never once had to wait for charging (and this was at the peak of holiday season) or felt worried about running out of juice. I do get the concern as I was similarly focused on being prepared for the worst-case scenario, but I can promise you it's waaaaaaaay easier than you'll be thinking! As mentioned above, the only part of the lower NI to be mindful of is the Wairarapa, and that's manageable (noting two options in Masterton).

Have you had a play with A Better Route Planner, as I suggested earlier? Programme in your route and see how it works out just using available fast chargers. Here's an example, based on our SI trip back at the start of the year:

Blurtie

432 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3144828 10-Oct-2023 10:19

Hi all,

Just to follow up on this for those interested/reading in the future - overall a great experience with the rental!

The car came with both the mobile connector and "type 2 to type 2" cable (which I didn't use). Did about 900km in total and only 'paid' $35 for using the supercharger in Johnsonville, otherwise charging was free at our accommodation. As noted in some of the earlier posts, I haven't been billed for using the supercharger - I've already received the final invoice and it makes no mention of the supercharger - so we've effectively paid nothing to charge the car! This more than made up for the price difference between renting a tesla and an ICE vehicle! So pretty stoked with that.

Our longest drive was from Napier to Wellington - started off on 100% and could've made it all the way to Wellington, but decided to try out the supercharger in Johnsonville (arrived with 10%) and was both impressed with the speed and ease of it. Took about 15mins to get up to 75%, and managed to keep the kids entertained by watching Youtube while we were waiting as the weather wasn't great.

To answer an earlier question - I had to return the car with at least 75% charge, otherwise you get pinged with additional charging fee. From memory it was something like $30 for between 10-75% and $60 for below 10%.

The only real issue now is that after having that experience, I really want to get a Tesla!

Mehrts

857 posts

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#3144881 10-Oct-2023 11:08

Blurtie:

The only real issue now is that after having that experience, I really want to get a Tesla!

And that's how I ended up with one! 🤣

Great summary. Did you end up with a Model 3?

Good that they also included a type-2 to type-2 cable as that allows for greater charging options while out & about. I could have used one for my first trip down to Hanmer Springs earlier in the year, as there are chargers by the pools but they're BYO cable only.

Thinking about buying a Tesla? Feel free to use my referral link to get a few good perks when you order!

michaelmurfy

cat
12219 posts

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#3144956 10-Oct-2023 14:37

Blurtie:

Our longest drive was from Napier to Wellington - started off on 100% and could've made it all the way to Wellington, but decided to try out the supercharger in Johnsonville (arrived with 10%) and was both impressed with the speed and ease of it. Took about 15mins to get up to 75%, and managed to keep the kids entertained by watching Youtube while we were waiting as the weather wasn't great.

The Supercharger in Paraparaumu is a V3 Supercharger. These can peak to 250kW and settle to around 200kW in my Model 3 Long Range:

Just a note also if you're thinking of purchasing a Tesla then hit a referral link in peoples signature on here (would recommend @Mehrts as he was first!). The new Model 3 Highland doesn't get anything from the referrals I don't think, but in all seriousness you won't regret getting a Tesla. I've had mine for a year and a half now, done 41,000km and absolutely love it. Wife and I did a trip around the South Island (putting 3000km on the clock) and charging was mainly done overnight at the places we stayed so charging cost total was $140.

With RUC's on the way I am not at all bothered either :)

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Tessie | Tesla | Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

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