Best EVs for a Road Trip

Renting an EV with Hertz gives you the chance to embark on the road trip of a lifetime. Whether you’re planning a short getaway or a longer jaunt, the right EV can easily take you wherever you want to go. Make lifelong memories along the highways and byways with an electric vehicle.

While there’s a wide range of EVs available, some might be more suitable for road trips than others. With this in mind, let’s take you through some of the best EVs for road trips so you have everything you need to enjoy your ride in style and comfort.

Tailoring Your EV Choice to Your Journey

Planning a long road trip? You might want to prioritize comfort. Travelling with a big group? Then space could be one of the main factors to consider. Ideally, you want to choose an EV that reflects the type of journey you want. 

Let’s look at the main factors to consider when choosing the right EV for your road trip:

Space and Comfort

It’s important that you have enough space for all your passengers and your luggage when traveling. The last thing you want to do is leave essential cargo behind because it doesn’t fit in the trunk. Space will be particularly important for those travelling in large groups or driving long distances. Look out for EVs that have extendable trunks and extra seat rows, as these will offer more room.

Comfort is important for all journeys, especially longer ones where more time will be spent in the car. Modern EVs often come with luxury features such as extra comfy interiors, extendable seats, and heated steering wheel and seat functions.

Range and Efficiency

EVs swap combustion engines for electric power trains, so they’re more efficient than their gas-fueled equivalents. However, some EVs have extra features to make them even more efficient.

For example, a feature known as precondition mode lets you heat or cool the cabin remotely, saving you time and energy compared to waiting until you’re inside the car. Ideally, you should activate this function when the EV is plugged in, so that it uses electricity from the power source instead of the battery.

Many EVs also come equipped with eco-driving, which can help to increase driving range by up to 20%. EV range approximates how far the EV can travel before recharging the battery. If you’re planning a long-distance journey, an EV with a long range, like the Tesla Model S , may be a good bet.

Performance and Handling

You’ll also need to consider the performance and handling of the EV. Will you be heading off-road or are you sticking to the highway? If you’re heading for an off-road drive to somewhere like the mountains of Colorado, then you might want to consider an all-wheel drive EV.

Then again, if you’re driving on Highway 15 from LA to Vegas, you might want an EV with extra range and features such as cruise control to make the journey much more convenient.

Affordability and Value

Electric cars are generally more expensive to purchase than gas-powered vehicles. On average, they may cost up to $4,600 more. However, renting an EV for your road trip could help you avoid these expensive upfront costs. 

EVs are also cheaper to run than petrol and diesel vehicles. They cost less to refuel, which means you can make savings on your journey. According to research, EV drivers tend to spend about 60 percent less on fuel costs each year than drivers of gas-powered cars. 

EVs also have fewer moving parts within their system, meaning they’re less likely to develop issues and therefore cheaper to maintain.

Top EV Options at Hertz

Tesla Model Y

Tesla is one of the main EV car manufacturers on the market. Tesla EVs are known for offering one of the best electric driving experiences, with innovative features such as autopilot, long range and supercharging. The Model Y is no different, offering space, speed and effortless design. This compact SUV EV is ideal for group road trips.

Tesla Model S

Perfect for long-distance trips, the Model S is fast, efficient, and reliable. Offering up to 403 miles of range, you can also hit 60 mph in just 2.3 seconds. Its comfortable, minimalist interior makes long drives a dream. Plus, you can control many of the vehicle’s functions with the large infotainment screen.

Polestar 2

Polestar is another popular EV brand known for providing a seamless driving experience. The Polestar 2 has a signature minimalistic design that doesn’t compromise on quality or safety. Expect power, performance and excellent range from this high-tech EV.

Chevrolet Bolt EV

With a sleek compact design, the Chevy Bolt EV offers a surprisingly spacious interior for a mini car. It’s also an affordable option for road trippers on a budget. Expect respectable range and an overall well-rounded driving experience[LT(S1]  whether you’re travelling alone or in a small group with small luggage bags.

Chevy Bolt EUV

The Chevy Bolt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle) is a larger version of the Chevy Bolt EV. Offering more space and slightly less range, this all-electric crossover is a great choice for large groups. If you want to take all your friends for the ride, or the whole family is coming along, this more practical version of Chevy’s popular Bolt EV might be what you’re looking for.

Kia Niro EV 

Available as hybrid or plug-in hybrid, the Kia Niro EV is a stylish, efficient and practical EV. With an attractively grained interior design and sleek exterior, this option offers both comfort and style. With over 250 miles per charge, you certainly won’t be stopping every other town. In addition, the more than 20 cu ft of storage space offers plenty of room, so you won’t have to leave anything behind.

Kia EV6 

Bold, futuristic and powerful, the Kia EV6 is a high-spec yet reliable EV. You’ll enjoy every moment inside its next-generation interior, which comes with a vehicle-to-load (V2L) system that can power household items like kettles or even microwaves. It also comes equipped with plenty of other handy infotainment features. This option might not have quite as much luggage space is its sibling, the Niro EV, but it certainly makes up for it with performance and looks.

Let’s Go!

Now that you’ve got the scoop on the best EVs for your road trip, all that’s left is to choose your destination, get packing and then hit the road.

Hertz offers a great range of EVs, many of which are ideal for road trips. Rent one today and get started on your next road trip adventure.