All the fun with none of the emissions
Discover electric cars with SIXT
Electric Car Hire

Electric car hire with SIXT

Get a great deal and drive a premium electric hire car from a top brand, like the Tesla Model Y. Our premium EVs are paired with friendly customer service, easy booking and the option to customise your rental with extras like Tesla Super Charger access.

Why hire an electric car?

Prepaid charging, so you can return with greater convenience

Access to over 300,000 charging points across Europe

Zero emission driving

A quiet, comfortable ride

24/7 customer support

The latest electric car models with exciting new features

Important information on the state of charge at pickup and return

A Tesla from Sixt at the electric car charging station

Our charging guidelines at pickup and return

  • The battery charge of electric vehicles is recorded at pickup and at return. If the vehicle is over 80% charged at pickup, it must be returned with at least 80% battery charge.*
  • If you do not have time to charge the batteries and have not booked a prepaid charging service, this is not a problem. You will only be charged for the electricity (kWh) required to bring the battery up to the charge level at the time of collection, i.e. a maximum of 80%. You can see the corresponding rates at the SIXT station.

 *If the vehicle's charge level was below 80% at the time of pickup, the vehicle must be returned with the corresponding charge level.  

The prepaid charging service

 To save time, when you pick up your vehicle at the SIXT station, you can opt for the prepaid charging service: You can return the vehicle with any battery level and we will charge it at a fixed price.

Where to charge your EV rental?

We’ve partnered with Shell Recharge, which offers more than 12,000 charge points in the UK for convenient charging. These charge points offer rapid chargers and ultra-rapid chargers along with a variety of connector types. Download the Shell Recharge app to get started.

How to charge your EV with the Shell Recharge app

  1. Download the app: Yeah can find the Shell Recharge app on the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
  2. Create an account: Follow the steps to set up your account.
  3. Get a free Shell Recharge card: Collect one when you pick up your rental and follow the instructions to link it to your Shell Recharge account.
  4. You’re ready to hit the road!

Plan your trip with the EV trip planner

Not sure how far you can drive in an electric car? No problem. Just select the electric car you’d like to rent, how far you plan to travel, and the charging connection. The trip planner will tell you where you can stop to recharge.

Comparison London Edinburgh Electric vs. Combustion engine

To highlight the convenience of electric travel, we've made a comparison between a Tesla Model Y Long Range and a comparable petrol model:

  Tesla Model Y Long Range BMW 3 Series
Driving time (London to Edinburgh) 8:06 hours 7:51 hours
Total loading/refuelling time 28 minutes 15 minutes
Loading stops 1 1

Long term rentals & subscriptions

There are two ways you can hire an electric car for a month or longer. Book a long-term rental (28 days or more) or sign up for SIXT+, our premium car subscription service. With SIXT+, you can rent a Tesla Model Y Long Range month-to-month for a set rate, cancel any time, and exchange cars up to once a month.

FAQs about electric car hire

Does the vehicle come with charging cables?

Yes, all our vehicles come with two charging cables:

  • Type 2, which is used to connect to public charging points. The chargers can be found on the street, and at car parks, supermarkets and leisure centers.
  • Domestic charging cable. This cable can be used in regular household power outlets.

Does SIXT provide a charging solution?

Yes. SIXT has partnered with Shell Recharge to give you access to the largest charging network in Europe, with over 300.000 charging points. You’ll receive a complementary charging card from Shell Recharge when you pick up your electric vehicle. We recommend that you set up your account prior to the pick-up day to save time. At the station, you can link the card to the account you set up. Keep the charging card when you return the vehicle to reuse on future rentals.

Follow these steps to use the Shell Recharge service:

  1. Download the Shell Recharge app on the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
  2. You will receive a complementary charging card at the station when you pick up your electric vehicle.
  3. Link the card to your Shell Recharge account.

Where can I charge an EV?

With Shell Recharge, you can easily locate a charging point. Check the map in the Shell Recharge app or on their website. In the map you can filter based on what type of charging you need (ex: fast charging or public charging).

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

The charging cost and how it’s calculated varies throughout Europe. In some cases, you pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh) used. While in others, you pay per-minute of charging. Some cities also include charging in their parking cost. To avoid any surprises, we suggest looking up charging fees in the Shell Recharge app before starting your charging session.

  • Slow charging (street charger): £0,25 - £0,55 per kWh (sometimes parking is included in the charging rate)
  • Fast charging: ∼£0,85 per kWh

Example: Charging a Tesla Model Y Long Range with a battery pack of 75 kWh 0-100% would then cost:

  • Slow charging: £18,75 - £41,25
  • Fast charging: £63,75

Who pays for the charging cost?

You pay for the charging costs through the Shell Recharge app. All you have to do is download the app, register, and connect your credit card or bank account (IBAN) to your Shell Recharge account. Once you’re registered and arrive at the SIXT station, we provide you with a charging card that can be linked to the account you created. Your charging sessions will then be charged directly to your bank account or credit card.

How far can I travel with a full charge?

There are several factors impacting the range of an electric car.

Speed: High speeds such as motorway driving increase energy use and therefore reduce your range. Urban driving at a lower speed with stop-and-go traffic generally means lower consumption and a longer range.

Weather: The ideal temperature for maximum range is around 20 degrees Celsius (68 F). In cold weather the battery uses energy to heat both the battery and the interior of the vehicle.

Driving style: Electric cars have a rapid throttle response that makes them fun to drive. However, the maximum range is reached with smooth acceleration and maximum use of the regenerative breaking. 

What distinguishes the driving behavior of an electric car?

Two factors differentiate the driving behavior of a conventional vehicle versus a battery-powered vehicle.

The first is acceleration, which is significantly better in an electric car versus a conventional car due to the rapid attainment of maximum torque. The second is that electric cars cause virtually no engine noise.

Additionally, the electric motor doesn’t have a transmission, which is why the driver doesn’t have to shift gears and experiences uninterrupted acceleration.

The braking behavior of the electric vehicle is also different. In addition to the conventional brake, it also has a recuperation brake. Here, when the speed is reduced, the electric motor is used as a generator and kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy. In this process, the car brakes and part of the energy released is recovered. In some cases, the recuperation brakes are so powerful that the conventional brake rarely needs to be used.

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