You’ll need to pay for charging out of pocket, some charging companies do require an account but Electrify America and EVgo will allow you to use a card at most stations (at least that I’ve encountered).

However, they may charge you a higher rate per kW if you don’t have an account.

I reserved an EV through Avis last year and reached out to ask what state of charge the car needed to be returned at, and at the time they told me via Twitter that 25% SoC was fine and that I would not be assessed a charging fee, but that was over a year ago, so I’d recommend checking with them directly.

Just checked their website, it’s now 70% SoC to avoid a fee.

I rented a non-Tesla EV from Hertz this August and they required 80% SoC to avoid a fee.

For non-Tesla cars, you get your own account. Companies like ChargePoint or ElectrifyAmerica.

Those will let you pay just like your Starbucks card or whatever (put your CC into the app).

Tesla is the one with weird direct-billing that will often get passed through.

You rented an EV because it was cheaper? You may regret that.

You’ll need to figure out charging early. Since you didn’t rent a Tesla, you’ll have to figure out how to pay cash (well, credit card) for all your charging. Only some stations have CC readers, most require you to activate via app. If you’re dealing with oddball credit cards such as foreign cards, it’s a particularly good idea to get that setup in the app, because CC readers on gas pumps and EV stations are throwbacks to the 1980s with no chip readers and no PIN pad.

Use plugshare.com. It’s a little corrupt, being owned by one EV charging network, but it has social media critical mass so we’re kinda stuck with it for now.

If you’re new to EVs, make sure you understand the difference between level 2 and DC fast charging so you aren’t wasting your time driving to a public station that was green in PlugShare, and watch it add 12 miles in an hour of waiting.

Pay close attention to hotel EV charging when making your hotel selection. As much as possible of your charging should be done while you sleep, and that means you should be very cautious about trading that $100/night you’re spending on a hotel for the charge facilities you need. We see countless first-time EV renters whp go ahead and rent any hotel they want, and then have to allocate 90 minutes a day to traveling to and using DC fast chargers at high cost. They alone know the value of their time.

You’ll pay for each charge at the time of charging, unless you get a Tesla than it’ll be billed to you at the end.

Simplest to rent a Tesla and pay when you return the car. Very low effort.

Where & how you charge the car isn’t related to your Avis rental. You’ll have to find and pay for your own charging, similar to a gas rental.

Each rental agency’s policy on how much battery you have to return it at is different. The safest thing is to ask when you get the car.

A lot of people are saying rent a Tesla, but IMO the Mach-E is going to be a more comfortable ride.

I launched Chargely.app last month with the goal of helping people find chargers on their travel and road trips. If you’re open to trying it out, I’d love any feedback you have!