Electric Rental Cars Still Rare, Norway Leading the Way

Despite the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), rental cars remain predominantly traditional combustion engines, particularly in popular vacation destinations. A recent analysis by a car rental platform reveals that only 2.1% of rental bookings in the past year were for electric vehicles. However, significant variations exist among different countries, with a noticeable increase compared to previous years.

The study, based on over ten million days of bookings from 2024 and 2023, primarily includes data from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. According to industry experts, the availability of electric vehicle options significantly influences these variations. Norway and Sweden stand out with impressive adoption rates, where 20.4% and 16.4% of rental cars booked were electric, respectively. Both countries exceed the European average for new electric vehicle registrations.

Other European nations with relatively high percentages of electric rental car bookings include France (8.6%), Belgium (7.1%), and Switzerland (7.0%). Germany's figure of 3.7% surpasses the overall average across the platform, which also encompasses non-European destinations.

Conversely, countries like Italy and Spain show much lower adoption rates, with electric rentals accounting for only 0.8% and 1.1% of bookings, respectively. The United States and Austria also lag behind, each recording a mere 1.2% of electric vehicle rentals.

While these percentages do not precisely reflect the entire rental car fleets in each country, they provide a valuable indication of current trends in the market. The disparity becomes even more apparent when comparing new electric vehicle registrations to rental bookings. For instance, in Norway, where 90% of new cars are electric, only 20% of rental bookings involved electric vehicles.

Concerns surrounding electric vehicles among both renters and rental companies contribute to these lower figures. Many travelers express skepticism about using electric cars while on vacation, particularly regarding the availability and accessibility of charging stations in different regions, such as Spain. This reluctance is echoed by rental companies, which cite high acquisition and maintenance costs for electric vehicles and lower resale values as significant factors in their hesitation to expand electric fleets.

Despite these challenges, the demand for electric vehicles in rentals is gradually increasing. Industry experts attribute this rise to a decrease in rental prices for electric vehicles compared to their gasoline counterparts. As rental companies strive to improve the utilization of their electric fleets, they appear to be adjusting their pricing strategies to attract more customers.

Overall, while the uptake of electric rental vehicles remains modest, the trends suggest a potential shift in consumer preferences as awareness and infrastructure continue to improve.