Renting a car on summer vacation this year? Why not try an electric one

If you're renting a car, you might be wondering if it's cheaper to drive an electric vehicle - but there are many factors to consider. Pat Foran has more.

If you’re heading out on a road trip this summer and want to cut costs on gas, why not consider renting an electric vehicle?

“Charging an EV is almost always going to be cheaper than filling up a gas car, but for how much you save, it really depends on a lot of different factors,” said Keith Barry of Consumer Reports.

There are a couple of things to consider when renting an electric car for a road trip: are there chargers where you’re staying? Will the car’s battery range last and how long will charging take?

“A level two charger, these are the types you’ll find at most homes and hotels, and some businesses offer free charging,” Barry said, adding that these kinds of charges are great for overnight use.

“With a DC fast charger, which you’ll probably see at a highway rest area off a major road, these tend to be a little more expensive to use, but they could recharge your EV in under a half-hour.”

Renting an electric vehicle may make sense if you’re staying in an urban area. For longer road trips, especially if it is headed somewhere more remote where chargers are scarce, a hybrid may make more sense to rent as it can still help save on gas.

Consumer Reports advises also watching for rental deals that look cheap upfront. Some companies and third-party websites offer lower rates if you pay in advance or agree to a “mystery car,” but those deals may come with fewer options if plans change.

No matter what car you rent, it is best to pay close attention to the return policies as the vehicle may need to be fully recharged or fueled up before dropping it back off in the lot.

“Some car rental companies will charge you a fee if they have to recharge a rental car,” said Barry.

If you book a rental through a third-party vendor—such as CAA, Costco or Priceline—you may have to make changes on that site rather than directly with the rental company.

Consumer Reports also says to double check your personal data is scrubbed from the rental car if you connected your phone at any point, as failing to do so could allow the next renter to see your contacts, texts and driving history.