Renting an electric Car - ease / difficulty finding charging stations?

[peacefrogdog]

I found a great car rental rate at Hertz, but for a Chevy Bolt ("or similar" which I assume means another electric car).

I've never driven an electrical car before so I don't know the ins and outs but hoping it will be straightforward.
We are staying one night in a Fairfield Inn on South Apopka before moving to Wilderness Lodge for 3 nights. We would be using it to drive from MCO to the Fairfield Inn for one night, then some drives to get groceries and out for a couple of suppers, before driving back to MCO.

The Hertz website lists a driving range of ~ 250 miles, so guessing I may not have to charge much or at all before returning.

But so I know what to expect, how easy or troublesome will it be for me to find charging stations?

 

[OKW Lover]

I know very little about electric vehicles, but I've seen charging stations in the parking lot of each park. I suspect there are some at the individual resorts as well.

 

[SkyGuy]

I thought about renting an electric vehicle but wondered if I had to bring it back charged - like you have to either pay for the tank or have the vehicle full of gas when returned. I messaged Hertz on twitter and was told that, yes, I had to bring it back with a full charge and they don’t offer the pay to charge option yet. That was in January, so it may have changed. I didn’t want to have to search for a charging station, so I didn’t rent the Tesla. There aren’t a whole bunch on property. There are a few spaces at each park, like four per park; Coronado, Riviera, Swan (this is Tesla specific), and Wilderness Lodge have a few spots, and the Disney Springs garages have 3 or 4 in each garage. Like I said, my research was in Jan, so things could be different now.

 

[_19disnA]

I believe when Hertz first started offering electic vehicles they were priced at a premium. If now being offered at a discount sounds like they tend to sit around so they are trying to generate more interest. Unless you plan to eventually buy an EV and think this is one way to try it out, I can't see much benefit as a rental. Finding places to charge can be a hassle since the infrastructure is still being implemented. I have seen many articles online where recharging stations have lots of technical issues or may be out of order when you go to use them. Finding a working and available recharging station could be an issue if you in a hurry to get back to MCO and need to recharge. There are some people who talk about how amazing/wonderful EV's are, but seems like one more hassle you can do without while on vacation.

 

[Mle8308]

Agree with the above feedback. Charging stations are limited and if a car is using one, you have to hope the “owners” come back in a reasonable amount of time so others can use it. I wouldn’t want to worry about finding an open (and functioning) charging station, at least not on vacation. It’s one more thing to possibly stress out about that’s not really necessary. Gas stations are easy to find.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I found a great car rental rate at Hertz, but for a Chevy Volt ("or similar" which I assume means another electric car).

I've never driven an electrical car before so I don't know the ins and outs but hoping it will be straightforward.
We are staying one night in a Fairfield Inn on South Apopka before moving to Wilderness Lodge for 3 nights. We would be using it to drive from MCO to the Fairfield Inn for one night, then some drives to get groceries and out for a couple of suppers, before driving back to MCO.

The Hertz website lists a driving range of ~ 250 miles, so guessing I may not have to charge much or at all before returning.

But so I know what to expect, how easy or troublesome will it be for me to find charging stations?

If the car is actually a Chevy 'Volt', that is a plug-in electric hybrid (which means it runs on gas after the battery is depleted). So you would not HAVE to charge it if you don't want to, it can go on gas (I have one and I lovelovelove this car!)

If it's a Chevy 'Bolt' that is electric only. It has a J1772 port, so you can't use the Tesla chargers, but in Orlando I would think you can find enough j1772 chargers. You can check online at Plugshare or Chargepoint.

If Hertz gives you a Tesla, then you can use TEsla chargers and j1772's. THere are way more of the tesla chargers and those charge fast.

 

[EACarlson]

If you were renting an AirBnB or a villa of some type I would consider it. Not in any kind of traditional hotel. I've seen many places where one person parks at the charger and then doesn't move, no chance for anyone else to use it. As electric vehicles get more popular this becoming more of an issue.

 

[kanerf]

I have a plug-in hybrid, so not a full electric, but I can plug it into a charging station and get a charge. The problem is not the number of stations, but finding one that works. Unfortunately the vendors that have these charging locations seem to do little or no maintenance and often the chargers do not work. Another problem is that there are several different standards out there and you have to find one that matching your vehicle. Most vehicles can use the Level 2 240v chargers, but the Fast Chargers can be three different kinds and it can be quite confusing.

 

[mom2rtk]

I would be concerned about wasting time 1) trying to find a charging station and 2) having to sit around and wait while it charges (assuming spots at resorts and parks are full). No chance do I want to give up vacation time on this.

 

[SteveH]

I am 100% in agreement with @mom2rtk on this. For a Disney Vacation time=money. If you want to play with the toy do it when your not spending a small fortune on a Disney vacation.

 

[Capt_BJ]

I rented from MCO last week and got an ev at the super discount price and had all these concerns. I was using the car to get to the airport for a trip and total miles would be about 100. I wondered about returning full but decided to try. Problem first, car I got only had half charge to begin .... hmmm I might make it. Car had 'standard home cord charger' in boot but attempting to use this at home I found it is a 30 amp device. My electric dryer is only 20 amps ... I returned with power level in the red not searching for a place to charge (no time). Experience has not improved my opinion of ev: not ready for prime time, not for me except as secondary around town vehicle. I have not as yet been charged for returning 'empty'

 

[SkyGuy]

I rented from MCO last week and got an ev at the super discount price and had all these concerns. I was using the car to get to the airport for a trip and total miles would be about 100. I wondered about returning full but decided to try. Problem first, car I got only had half charge to begin .... hmmm I might make it. Car had 'standard home cord charger' in boot but attempting to use this at home I found it is a 30 amp device. My electric dryer is only 20 amps ... I returned with power level in the red not searching for a place to charge (no time). Experience has not improved my opinion of ev: not ready for prime time, not for me except as secondary around town vehicle. I have not as yet been charged for returning 'empty'

When I was searching for info about charging the Tesla before return, I saw loads and loads of complaints about people picking up EVs that had little to no charge.

 

[herdtoDisney]

I rented from MCO last week and got an ev at the super discount price and had all these concerns. I was using the car to get to the airport for a trip and total miles would be about 100. I wondered about returning full but decided to try. Problem first, car I got only had half charge to begin .... hmmm I might make it. Car had 'standard home cord charger' in boot but attempting to use this at home I found it is a 30 amp device. My electric dryer is only 20 amps ... I returned with power level in the red not searching for a place to charge (no time). Experience has not improved my opinion of ev: not ready for prime time, not for me except as secondary around town vehicle. I have not as yet been charged for returning 'empty'

It's kind of hard to explain (and I'm no expert, just a new owner of a used Volt) but the 30 amp charger is standard and it refers to the amps the car can accept to charge-it's not drawing 30 amps from a wall plug. I charge my Volt with a 120v wall plug charger-my car only draws 12 amps MAX. In other words-it's safe to use and won't burn the house down LOL.

It's confusing though, I've had a learning curve and my car is already a generation past.

 

[Mikey15]

If the car is actually a Chevy 'Volt', that is a plug-in electric hybrid (which means it runs on gas after the battery is depleted). So you would not HAVE to charge it if you don't want to, it can go on gas (I have one and I lovelovelove this car!)

If it's a Chevy 'Bolt' that is electric only. It has a J1772 port, so you can't use the Tesla chargers, but in Orlando I would think you can find enough j1772 chargers. You can check online at Plugshare or Chargepoint.

If Hertz gives you a Tesla, then you can use TEsla chargers and j1772's. THere are way more of the tesla chargers and those charge fast.

Volt hasn’t been made in years, so it’s most likely an all-electric Bolt.

That said, OP, you’re in luck! I know 100% for a fact that there are level 2 EV chargers at the Wilderness Lodge parking lot. They’re on the row closest to the entrance / bus loop. You’ll be able to plug in and charge no problem anytime you’re parked at the resort (though if you’re topped up you may want to move for other EV drivers).

 

[herdtoDisney]

Volt hasn’t been made in years, so it’s most likely an all-electric Bolt.

That said, OP, you’re in luck! I know 100% for a fact that there are level 2 EV chargers at the Wilderness Lodge parking lot. They’re on the row closest to the entrance / bus loop. You’ll be able to plug in and charge no problem anytime you’re parked at the resort (though if you’re topped up you may want to move for other EV drivers).

View attachment 778507

The OP said in another thread that it is a 'Bolt', which is what I figured-since the 'Volt' hasn't been made in a few years. Thanks, Chevy, for the rhyming names LOL As a new owner of a used Volt, I have to to REALLY enunciate Volt. 'It's a Volt, with a 'V'. ' haha

OP, I'd rent it, those look like fun cars! I couldn't even find one to test drive when I was looking earlier this year!

 

[Mikey15]

The OP said in another thread that it is a 'Bolt', which is what I figured-since the 'Volt' hasn't been made in a few years. Thanks, Chevy, for the rhyming names LOL As a new owner of a used Volt, I have to to REALLY enunciate Volt. 'It's a Volt, with a 'V'. ' haha

OP, I'd rent it, those look like fun cars! I couldn't even find one to test drive when I was looking earlier this year!

I was tempted to ask to sit in the Bolt EUV they have at Test Track, but I think to unlock it you need to talk with one of the marketing people they have standing around there. I did the photo in front of the Camaro instead

But yeah, given the number of times I’ve not even gone through a tank of gas on a rental car, I think an EV with 250mi of range can fit the Disney rental ticket quite well! I haven’t looked up which Disney hotels have courtesy chargers, but I know I’ve seen those WL ones in action with my own two eyes.

 

[kdonnel]

I haven’t rented an EV in Orlando but I have driven mine from Atlanta to Orlando and back.

As for charging in Orlando I made sure to book a hotel that offered L2 charging. There was one working L2 charger, the other was broken. For all of Vistana.

The first night I was able to get the charger and used it to get my car to 90%. That got us driving around energy for the week.

Every other night the charger was already in use.

I ended up at Celebration trying to use the DCFC there. They were all broken. I ended up getting a couple hours of charge at the L2 there.

I had enough energy to make it to I-10 and the EA station there for the return home.

As a 2 EV owner that only drives electric, I am reluctant to rent EV. In the areas I normally drive, I know the state of EV charging. In other areas I don’t. We are still in the early adopter phase and the infrastructure is as well.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've stayed at some hotels (not in Fl) that have had chargers, and some that didn't. Maybe ~50/50. I haven't looked when booking, just saw them when staying. Most of the charging spots have been empty, but I have seen the occasional car plugged in.

I've thought about doing an electric rental, but haven't bit the bullet yet. My trips are business, not pleasure, so I don't need to worry about losing "vacation" time. Most of my trips are <100 miles for the week, and I think all of them have been <250 miles.

 

[kanerf]

When renting a vehicle I would insure that there is a 120v charger adapter in the trunk. These take forever to charge, but plug into a regular wall socket so nice to have. I have one for my Kia Niro.

 

[seashoreCM]

I am not ready to rent an electric car.

I am throwing out the magic number of 26 hours before your flight leaves for home to devote your undivided attention to recharging the car. You might get it charged in 3 hours leaving you at T minus 23 (hours) to resume your vacationing -- sleep, theme park, meals, etc. But then you might not. If you only gave yourself hours in the single digits then you will be anxious trying to get the car charged.

If you need an extension cord for the 120 volt 12 ampere L1 charger the cord had better be heavy duty (14 gauge or fatter).. Otherwise the cord could overheat and stain the finish or the upholstery with molten plastic or rubber..