MYEV Trips is heading to Europe for the first time! I’m excited to take my EV road trip adventures across the pond and see how the European charging infrastructure stacks up against what I’m used to back home. Will it be as easy and accessible? Here’s a look at my somewhat impromptu European EV road trip plan, covering Southern France, Italy, Switzerland, Andorra, and Spain.
Finding the Right EV Rental in Europe
When I first started searching for an electric vehicle rental in Europe, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of options available at affordable prices. It seems Europe is ahead of the game when it comes to EV rentals, with multiple car rental agencies offering everything from compact models to luxury EVs.
I toyed with the idea of trying out a new (or new to me) EV, like the Volvo XC-30 or the latest VW ID.Buzz. However, I ultimately decided to stick with Tesla because I have a stash of free Supercharger miles, and there’s comfort in driving a familiar car on new roads.
For this road trip, I booked through Europcar, as they were the only company in the area (to my knowledge) offering Tesla rentals. I opted for the Tesla Model 3, though Europcar couldn’t guarantee that exact model, only a “similar” car in the same category. Fingers crossed.
I briefly looked at Turo however it was significantly more and comes with risks as my credit card insurance does not cover the rental.
The price? Only $385 for 10 days, which I found through Expedia rather than going direct to Euorpcar. This is a fantastic deal considering the convenience of driving electric and using my Supercharger credits. For context, I am paying about the same for a compact ICE vehicle on the tail end of my trip in Ottawa, Ontario.
Charging in Europe: What to Expect
Speaking of Superchargers, I’m still unsure whether I’ll be able to use my free credits while renting with Europcar. My hope is that the rental experience mirrors how easy it is to rent a Tesla with Hertz, where you simply add the car to your Tesla account by scanning a QR code. From there, it connects to your phone, and you can use it as a key while billing Supercharging directly to your account.
However, Europcar’s fine print states that Supercharging fees are included in the rental. I throught I had also read that you would be billed back for this so it has left me scratching my head. Despite contacting Europcar for clarification, I didn’t get a clear answer. Even Tesla enthusiast groups I reached out to were silent on the matter. I’ll be sure to update this in a future review of my Europcar experience to clarify the situation for others.
If Supercharging is indeed free, renting with Euopcar is a no brainer!
Regardless, unlike my time driving to Saint Pierre France, I’m confident I won’t have much trouble finding charging stations in Europe. The continent is well-covered with EV chargers, and I’ve downloaded several apps like ChargeMap, Freshmile, IONITY, and IZIVIA. PlugShare, my go to in North America, seems to have fewer listings in Europe. I’m also planning to stay at hotels that offer EV charging to ensure I start each day with a full battery.
The (Very) Loose Plan for My Europe EV Road Trip
Now, if you’ve been following along on MY EV Trips, you know I love to meticulously plan my EV road trips. I enjoy ironing out the details, from where to charge to where to stop for scenic breaks, ideally combinding the two to travel as efficiently as possible.
However, this Europe trip came together last minute, and I’m winging most of it. While that’s both exciting and nerve-wracking, I do have a rough outline of the places I hope to visit.
Toulouse, France
I’m flying in and out of Toulouse, home to Airbus and some incredible aviation museums. This will be my starting and ending point, and I plan to explore Toulouse’s aviation history and culture. I’m looking forward to visiting the Aeroscopia Museum and relaxing in some of the town’s charming squares, sipping coffee and getting my French on.
Scenic Drive: French Riviera to Switzerland
Here’s where it gets ambitious. I’ve got about four or five days to spare before I need to be in San Sebastián, Spain. Ideally, I’d love to drive along the stunning French Riviera, cross into Italy, then make my way up to Switzerland, passing through Lake Como and onto the majestic Swiss Alps.
This would be a visually stunning route but also a lot of driving with little time to stop and truly enjoy the sights. Given that I’ve visited these regions before, part of me feels like it’s worth it just to experience the scenic drive in an EV. But with so little time to plan, I think I am going to play it by ear and see how I feel day-to-day.
San Sebastián, Spain
After circling back through France, I’m on to northern Spain where I’ll be meeting friends in San Sebastián. If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that we’ll be eating all of the tapas. San Sebastián is renowned for its food scene, and I can’t wait to indulge in pintxos (small snacks) through a food tour while exploring the town’s lively culture.
From there, we’ll head to Bilbao to check out the iconic Guggenheim Museum. With its contemporary art exhibits and striking architecture, it’s a must-see on this trip.
Bilbao is one location where I have secured accommodations with EV charging. I’m staying at the Hesperia Hotel which is a short walk from the Guggenheim and the towns old quarter.
A Quick Detour Through Andorra
One of the most exciting parts of this trip is that I’ll be driving through Andorra, a tiny country nestled between France and Spain.
This will bring me closer to my goal of visiting 100 countries—Andorra will be number 81! The country is known for its ski resorts and duty-free shopping, so I’m curious to see what else it has to offer on a quick scenic detour.
Help Me Plan!
As I’m literally flying out tomorrow, I’d love any suggestions on where to stay, what to see, and especially which hotels offer EV charging stations. If you have any European EV road trip planning tips, leave them in the comments below or reach out to me on Instagram.
Come along for the ride and follow my European EV road trip adventure on Instagram Stories. I’ll also be posting follow-ups on this blog, detailing my Europcar experience and sharing scenic highlights from this whirlwind trip.
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