Wanted to share a quick experience with renting an EV from Budget. This past weekend I rented a Tesla Model 3 or “or similar” from Budget for a 1200 round trip that would be completed in 36 hours.

I’ve owned a model S in the past and am familiar with the supercharging system. This trip would be a breeze with that network and the basic autopilot that helps with driving fatigue. I was very excited to try the 3 and even mapped out my whole route lying in bed the evening prior.

When I l arrived to pickup the car they immediately inform me they do not have model 3’s but they have an Ioniq 5 or a Bolt. The rep said that particular location doesn’t have model 3’s at all. I was very naive as it never occurred to me that I might not get a model 3. I was immediately concerned about making this trip after reading so many negative stories about it the CCS network reliability and availability. I also was disappointed because I knew nothing about those cars driver assist capabilities.

Anyways, I opted for the Ioniq with a 35% charge instead of a Corolla and decided to make it an adventure learning about non-supercharging trips. All in all, I loved the Ioniq and only had one bad fast charging experience at an EVgo location. I would happily rent that car again.

Next time I will call ahead to see what the true availability is.

TLDR: be prepared to get a CCS EV when renting a “Model 3 or Similar”

  • ToddA1966@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    “Or similar” is a weasel phrase car rental companies have used since time immemorial.

    No one blinks when they get a Hyundai Santa Fe instead of a Ford Escape, or vice versa, so don’t see where a different EV for a model 3 is any different.

    I’ve avoided the “EV manager’s special” deals- I’ve read far too many horror stories of folks getting Chevy Bolts, which just charge too slowly for happy road tripping. I’ve already got two faster charging EVs in my driveway to be renting a Bolt! 😁

  • ScuffedBalata@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    The experience with CCS is rarely that you’re stranded.

    My experience has generally been… pull into an EA charger with 4 handles. 2 are outright broken, one is finnicky and/or slow and the last one works fine.

    That’s… not ideal, but it’s not show-stopping. It can result in some lines and angry visitors when people show up, especially since EA is kind of bad at reporting dead cables in their app.

  • FaintingGoat123@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    A bit of a side note, but the one time I rented a Model 3 from Hertz they had disabled all of the Autopilot features (even basic cruise control). Hopefully they’re not still doing that, curious if others have had the same experience

    • pbjclimbing@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      I made myself “admin” on my last electric vehicle rental from Hertz and was able to adjust everything to my liking.

      I find it is a car specific thing.

  • hurtfulproduct@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    This pretty much goes for all rentals honestly; I spent over an hour waiting for just a large “premium” car in Louisville and the level of incompetence of some of these rental employees is mind boggling. . .first they double booked our car because they share a fleet with all the other companies, then we were told to “Just take that one” so we loaded our stuff into the designated car and come to find out it was also rented out. . . So we unload and go to the office; well we were then pointed to the small SUV they were finishing up cleaning so we again load our stuff into it and go to the office to finish up. . . Well now they are saying “oh no, you picked a car not an SUV and we can’t give that to you because it is the wrong vehicle. . .” We need up with some garbage Hyundai that goes 0-60 in 10 minutes and can’t even merge safety. . . I was so close to doing a charge back.