Gas at $1.70+ per litre has Canadians hunting for electric rental cars, but rental fleets haven't caught up to demand.
With gas hovering around $1.70 per litre across much of Canada, renting an electric vehicle for your next road trip sounds like a no-brainer. On a Toronto-to-Montreal drive, you could save $80-100 in fuel costs alone. The math is simple: electricity costs roughly 3-4 cents per kilometre versus 12-15 cents for gas in a typical rental sedan.
Here's the catch nobody talks about: actually finding an EV rental is like winning a lottery you didn't know you entered. Most rental companies have maybe 5% of their fleet as electric, and they're booked solid months ahead. Even when available, daily rates often run $20-40 higher than gas cars, which can wipe out your fuel savings on shorter trips.
The rental industry is moving slowly because EVs cost more upfront and complicate logistics. But if you're planning a longer trip and can book far ahead, the savings are real. A week-long Vancouver Island tour could save you $200+ in fuel costs, assuming you can snag an EV rental.
What You Can Actually Do Today
- Check EV availability for summer trips now — book 3+ months ahead if you find one
- Calculate your break-even point: longer trips (800+ km) justify higher daily rates
- Consider hybrid rentals as backup — still save 40% on fuel with better availability
Rental rates and availability change constantly. Factor in charging time when planning EV road trips.
