Electric Cars
What to consider when renting an EV
www.sixt.co.uk
Electric Car Hire
Charging Electric Car Hire

Everything about electric car charging at SIXT rental cars

Recharge anywhere with access to over 350,000 charging stations across Europe

Rent a Tesla and enjoy access to the whole Tesla Supercharger network

Go the distance — all EVs have at least 80% battery charge at pick-up

Skip the charging station before your return with our prepaid recharge option

SIXT Loading guidelines for pickup and return

Our loading options

  State of charge at handover State of charge at return
  >80% >=80

  • The charge level of electric vehicles is recorded both at pick-up and return. We handover the cars with a charge level above 80%, the vehicle must be returned with a charge level of at least 80%.* 

  • If you don’t have time to top up the batteries but didn’t book the pre-paid charging service, don’t worry – you’ll only be charged for the kWh’s needed to bring the battery to the pick-up state of charge, or maximum 80%. The applicable rates orientate themself on the cost at a public fast charging charger and are available at SIXT rental locations.

* If the charge level of the vehicle at pick-up was below 80%, the vehicle must be returned with the same charge level.

Our prepaid option to charge your car easily

To save time, you can opt for a pre-paid full battery charge when picking up your vehicle. The price is fixed with no hidden fees - this means you don't have to worry about recharging the vehicle before returning it. 

Electric car charging with Shell Recharge

For your electric vehicle rental, you also have access to the Shell Recharge charging station network. With 350,000 charging stations across Europe accessible from your Shell Recharge app, electric car charging is a matter of a few clicks at SIXT. The card is available at the SIXT location at an attractive price.

Shell Recharge gives you: 

  • Access to over 350,000 charging stations across Europe
  • Easy payment set-up with monthly billing
  • Clear and transparent overview of your previous charging sessions and costs
  • Overview of charging stations and their availability  
Find your closest charging point

How do I use Shell Recharge?

Download the Shell Recharge app and set up an account before, during or after you pick up your vehicle.

To use the Shell Recharge service:

  1. Download the Shell Recharge app from the App Store or Google Play. Follow the steps in the app to set up your account.
  2. You will receive a free charging card when you pick up your electric vehicle at a SIXT location. The card can then be linked to your Shell Recharge account.
  3. Now you can get started and charge via card or app!

SIXT and Tesla Supercharger - What you need to consider when charging

Tesla Supercharging

When renting a Tesla, you'll have access to the extensive Tesla Supercharging network with almost 10.000 charging stations across Europe. The Tesla Superchargers are easy to use - simply enter your destination in the car's navigation system. The navigation system will calculate the best route and guide you via the charging points needed to reach your destination. Once you arrive at the charger, simply plug it in and the charging session starts automatically. No manual authentication is required. 

Learn more about the features of the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y here. Model 3 & Model Y  

  • The supercharging cost is included in your rental price. You simply navigate to the supercharger, plug in and the charging session will start automatically.
  • Make sure you disconnect the vehicle from the Supercharger when complete. If the car is fully charged but not disconnected from the charger, the Tesla will start charging idling fees. This fee is charged per minute and will be forwarded to you.
  • Of course you still have access to the Shell Recharge network when opting for the charging card available at the branch. When using the Shell Recharge card, the charging cost will be charged to your chosen payment method selected in your account.

Ideally, the Tesla navigation system should be used when navigating to the Supercharger. This allows your Tesla to automatically preheat its battery and achieve maximum charging speed.

How to plan a trip with an electric vehicle?

Route Planer
ABRP

Which charging cable to use during your rental?

To ensure you’re fully equipped for your EV rental, each vehicle comes with both Domestic and Type 2 charging cables.

  • Domestic – The Domestic cable serves as a backup option for destinations without a Type 2 charging point. This charging method is slower, but still helpful for increasing the battery range when plugged in overnight or when parked. 
  • Type 2 – The Type 2 cable is suitable for use at European public charging stations often found in parking garages, on the street, and in shopping mall parking lots. This is a convenient way to recharge your battery during breaks between trips or overnight.

FAQ'S - Frequently asked questions about electric car rental

Do I need to return the vehicle fully charged?

We would appreciate it if you bring back the car charge, but you do not need to return the vehicle fully charged. We are aware that recharging your vehicle before return might be a worry. Therefore, we offer recharging services to give you peace of mind and save you time.   

If the electric vehicle is returned with a lower charge level, and you have not booked either the Prepaid charge or the Charging service, a fee per kWh of missing battery capacity applies. The applicable rates orientate themself on the cost at a public fast charging charger and are available at the SIXT stations and are based on equivalent fast charging prices.  

What is the “Prepaid charge”? - At the Sixt location, you can opt for the Prepaid battery charge that offers a fixed price without any concealed charges. We have also applied a discount on the standard kWh rate for the Prepaid battery charge. With this option, you can save time by not having to recharge the vehicle before return. Simply return the vehicle with a lower state of charge. However, please note that any unused capacity will not be refunded.  

What is the “Charging service”? - This charge can be purchased at the point of booking or when picking up your vehicle at the SIXT location. When opting for the Charging service, you pay a set service fee, plus the price for the kWh needed to reach the agreed return state of charge. The agreed return state of charge is the level of charge at which you received the vehicle. You also get a discount on the standard kWh price used to top up the battery when purchasing this service. You can ask for the kWh price when picking up your vehicle at the SIXT location.

Who do I contact if I need support at the charging station?

In the event of a problem, please utilize the following channels to request assistance, depending on the specific situation:  

  • Issues with the Shell Recharge charging process or app: Reach out to Shell Recharge by either calling the 24/7 Service Desk at +493021502848 or sending an email to kundendienst@shellrecharge.com. You can also find the Service Desk telephone number at the back of your Shell Recharge charging card.
  • Difficulties with a charging station provided by an external operator: Please get in touch with the operator specified on the charging station itself.  

How much does it cost to charge an Electric Vehicle?

Charging costs and calculations vary throughout Europe. Some charge per kWh, while others charge per minute of charging. Some cities include charging fees in their parking costs. To avoid unexpected expenses, we recommend checking the charging fees in the app before starting your session. The following prices are examples only, as prices vary by city. You can find out more about the latest pricing of Shell Recharge here.  

  • Slow charging (type 2 plug): €0,55/kWh
  • Fast charging (CCS plug): €0,64 - 0,81/kWh   

Example – Charging a Tesla Model 3 Long Range with a battery pack of 75 kWh 20-80% would cost:   

  • Slow charging: 25€ 
  • Fast charging: 29€ - 36€  

How do I charge a non-Tesla electric vehicle at a Tesla Supercharger?

Tesla has now given access to their vast Tesla Supercharging network at selected Tesla Superchargers in Europe. Here’s how you use the Supercharging network.  

  1. Download the Tesla app in App Store or Google Play, set up your account and add your payment details.   

  1. Select “Charge Your Non-Tesla" on the main screen in the app. On the map you can locate a supercharger near you.   

  1. At the station, plug in your vehicle using the CCS plug. Once plugged in, go to the app and select the charger stall number you have chosen. You can find the number written on the stall - usually at the bottom.  

  1. Then press ‘Get Started’. The app will then take you to a payment page where you enter your credit card details (if you haven’t entered them already when setting up your account). Press OK and the charging session will start. It can take up to two minutes to connect but keep an eye on the app in case there’s a problem with starting the charging session.    

  1. To end your charging session, just press the “Stop charge” button in the app. The session will then stop, and you can remove the connector.  

Make sure you remove the vehicle when the Supercharging is complete. If the car is fully charged and it’s not removed from the charger, Tesla will start charging idling fees. This fee is charged per minute and will be forwarded to customers. This also applies to countries where Supercharging is included in the base rate e.g. France.  

How do I charge my EV?

Charging is easy, just follow these steps:   

Slow charging at a public station using type 2 cable  

  1. Park the vehicle near the charging point and connect the Type 2 cable to the vehicle's charging port. At some charging points you have to use your RFID card first in order to plug the cable to the charging station.
  2. Use an RFID card to activate the charging session. At most charge points you can also start and stop the charging session with the Shell Recharge app.
  3. Check the charging status on the vehicle's display, the App or charging station's screen.
  4. Wait for the battery to charge. To end the charging session, deactivate it the same way that you activated it. If you activated with a RFID card, use the same card to deactivate.
  5. Disconnect the cable and safely drive away. If the cable is stuck to the car, try unlocking the car with the key and then remove the cable.  

Note: The exact process may vary depending on the charging station and vehicle model.  

Fast charging at a public station  

  1. Park the vehicle near the charging station and make sure it's positioned correctly.
  2. To start charging, place your RFID/charging card near the reader. For some chargers, you may need to connect your car first and then select "start" on the touchscreen before scanning your card. For further instructions, refer to the display on the charger. At some charge points you can also start and stop the charging session with the Shell Recharge app.
  3. Attach the plug to your car. Make sure the plug is properly inserted into the car and hold it firmly for 20-30 seconds until it locks into place. When the charging station activates and the screen begins displaying an active charging session, you can let go of the plug.
  4. After authentication, the connector will lock, and charging will begin automatically after a few seconds.
  5. When you’ve reached your desired state of charge, you can stop the charging session on the charging point screen or by placing your RFID card on the reader. Then, remove the connector from your car and hang it back up. If you used the app to start your charging session, use the app to stop it.   

Note: The exact process may vary depending on the charging station and vehicle model.  

Where can I charge an EV?

With Shell Recharge, you can easily locate a charging point. You can find the charge point map in the app or on Shell Recharge’s website. On the map, you can filter based on what type of charging you need (fast charging or public slow charging).

How long does it take to charge an Electric Vehicle?

Domestic/Schuko - Output 1,2-3,7kW 
For a vehicle with a 75 kWh battery (Tesla Model 3 Long Range), reaching 20-80% charge would require:  

  • 1,2kW →  38h
  • 2,3kW →  20h
  • 3,7kW →  12h    

Type 2 - Charging Points output power ranges from 3,5-22kW. However, most charging points are within the range of 7,4-22kW 
For a vehicle with a 75 kWh battery (Tesla Model 3 Long Range), reaching 20-80% charge would require:  

  • 3,5kW →  13h
  • 7,4kW →  6h
  • 11kW →  4h
  • 22kW →  2h  

Fast charging  :CCS – Output 50-350kW.
This type of charging is mainly used for quick battery charges during road trips and is often located near gas stations along highways. 
Example: Charging a Tesla Model 3 from 10-80% at a 250kW charger takes roughly 27 minutes, and 241km takes about 15 minutes.  

You can find the charging speed of the charging point in the Shell Recharge app. We recommend that you look this up before driving to the charging point to make sure it meets your needs.  

What can I do to improve my charge speed?

  • When charging with the Type 2 charger the charging speed is pretty much stable over the whole charging period.
  • Charging with the CCS charger (Fast Charing): In general, the emptier the battery when starting the charging session, the faster it charges.
  • Certain vehicles, such as Tesla, offer the option to preheat the battery before arriving at the charging point. This significantly increases charging speed, particularly in cold weather. The preheat feature is only activated when selecting the desired fast charger as the destination in the car's navigation system.
  • Fast charging will heat up the battery more significantly, which improves the charge speed. This means the charging speed might be slower in the beginning but will increase after the battery warms up.  

What determines the charging speed?

Several factors determine the maximum charging speed:  

  • The power the charging point can deliver  

If a charger's power output is 50kW and the vehicle can receive a maximum of 150kW, the charging speed will be limited to 50kW.  

  • The power the vehicle can receive  

If a charger’s power output is 350kW and the vehicle can receive a maximum of 150kW, the charging speed will be limited to 150kW.  

  • The state of charge of the battery  

The state of charge when starting the charging session affects fast charging speed. The charging rate slows down as the battery approaches full capacity. When the battery is nearly empty, the charging rate is high, but as it reaches higher levels of charge, the charging rate decreases to prevent damage to the battery and extend its lifespan.
The charge curve of every vehicle is different and depends on the vehicle manufacturer.

  • The temperature of the battery  

The charger has a power output of 350kW and the vehicle can receive a maximum of 150kW. If the battery is cold at the point of charging, it may charge at a slower speed at first before the battery reaches the optimum temperature. Some manufacturers have programmed their vehicles to preheat their batteries when you navigate to a fast charger. This way, the vehicle can start the charging session with an optimum battery temperature, resulting in faster charging sessions. The preheat function only works when you choose a specific fast charger as the destination in the vehicle's navigation system.  

What makes charging to 80% preferable when using fast charging?

After reaching 80% charge, the vehicle automatically slows down the charging speed to avoid overheating and protect the battery. This means that charging from 80%-100% can take about the same time as charging 20%-80%.
The graph underneath shows an example of a charge curve. It shows the charge speed (vertical axis) depending on how full the battery is (horizontal axis).

The charge curve of every vehicle is different and depends on the choices made by the vehicle manufacturer.