All Redspot vehicles come with 24/7 Standard Roadside Assistance. For even more peace of mind, consider our Premium Roadside Assistance, with fuel delivery, accommodation reimbursement and more to keep you rolling.
Electric Vehicle Driving Tips
When you take a quality EV out on the road, you aren’t just helping to reduce your carbon footprint. You can also enjoy a spacious vehicle with plenty of legroom and luggage space, a near-silent engine and dozens of innovative conveniences!
From lane and parking assistance to seamless smartphone support, an incredible new experience is waiting for you, right inside your first electric vehicle.
Driving an electric car for the first time?
If you’ve never driven an EV before, don’t worry! We’re here to help you with any questions you may have. We’ll also let you know any important details ahead of time. Here are just a few key things to know before you hit the road.
Electric cars vs Petrol cars
Driving an EV is very similar to a standard internal combustion engine (ICE) car. However, there are just a few details that may throw you off while you’re driving if you aren’t aware of them:
- Extra weight: Electric cars typically weigh 300 to 400 kg more than a standard vehicle, due to the heavier battery. This weight can affect your driving experience, especially when braking and cornering.
- Silent engine and gearbox: An EV motor is usually directly connected to the wheels and other components, so there are fewer moving parts and no noise from fuel combustion. It may take you a moment to adjust to the quieter driving experience and the lack of clear feedback you may be used to in an ICE engine.
- Faster torque: As the electric motor is directly connected to the wheel and other components, an EV can generate instant torque without needing to shift gears or rev up to speed. Be mindful of the faster acceleration to avoid sudden bursts of speed or close calls with vehicles ahead.
- Regenerative braking: Redspot EVs use regenerative braking technology to capture kinetic energy from acceleration and deceleration and send it to the main engine battery. While this helps your battery last longer, it can cause a slight deceleration when you take your foot off the accelerator.
If it’s your first time driving an electric car, you may want to find an empty parking lot or a quiet area to practice and adjust to the differences in driving.
Plan your trip with an electric car hire:
Remember, not every petrol station along your route offers EV charging! Be sure to check your route for working EV stops in advance so you’re never left flat.
You should also make sure that each station supports your vehicle’s specific charger type. Estimated EV ranges can also vary depending on elevation and road conditions. We recommend planning multiple recharging stops to ensure you don’t run out of battery.
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EV Chargers in Sydney
One of the most notable differences between a standard petrol car and an electric vehicle is how to refuel. If you’re unsure of how to recharge your EV car rental, here’s a quick guide to help you on your way.
How to use an EV charging station
Before you begin charging, make sure you know where your charging port is and bring a charging cable with you, just in case. To charge your EV, take the following steps:
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- Find a compatible charging station. Connect your cable to the station if a cable is not already there.
- Connect the cable to your car. You should hear a lock-in noise when it’s secure.
- Start charging. If the charge is free, it should start automatically. Otherwise, look for a payment method on or around the station’s screen to pay and begin charging.
- Monitor charging. Check the station screen for estimated time, charge progress, or other details.
- Finish charging and disconnect. Unplug the cable from your EV and the charger if it’s your own cable. Return the cable to its holder and move your car to allow others to charge.
EV Plug Points
An electric car’s plug-point design determines which type of charging it is capable of. There are four main types of EV plug points:
Be sure to check in advance if a nearby station is compatible with your plug point.
EV charging levels explained:
Not sure how to charge your rental EV, or confused about what level you should be using?
Here’s a quick rundown on what the 3 levels of EV charging are and which one meets your needs at any given time:
Level 1 EV Charger: AC Slow Charging
Tier: Low-tier (Up to 14 hours charge time)
Common locations: Homes, workplaces
Charging power: 1.4 – 2.4 kW
Level 2 EV Charger: AC Fast Charging
Tier: Mid-tier (4-6 hours charge time)
Common locations: Homes, workplaces, shopping centres, car parks, hotels
Charging power: up to 7.2 kW
Level 3 EV Charging: DC Fast Charging
Tier: High-tier (30 minutes to 1 hour charge time)
Common locations: Public charging stations, gas stations on highways and key routes
Charging power: 25kW – 350 kW
NSW EV Chargers Map
Need to find an EV charger near you? Check out Transport NSW’s map to find your nearest EV charging station.
All-Inclusive Package
This iconic Redspot package stands strong as the first all-inclusive car rental product in Australia! Designed with peace-of-mind built in, our good value car rental package includes:
- No hidden costs
- Additional windshield and headlight cover
- Premium location fee
- Registration recovery fee
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Free additional drivers
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Pay later
- Contract fee
Standard Package
Need something a little more bare-bones but with all the expert local support? Redspot’s Standard Package might be for you.
This includes:
- No hidden costs – we are upfront about the inclusions in this package!
- Standard damage liability excess – amount is calculated per vehicle type and hire itinerary
- Premium location fee
- Registration recovery fee
- GST-inclusive
- Unlimited km allowance
- Additional drivers fee
- No cancellation fees
- No amendment fees
- Pay later
- Contract fee
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
Terminology Key:
Let us break down our package terms so you know exactly what may appear on your invoice:
*Damage liability excess: Amount reduced by is dependent on the vehicle type and hire itinerary selected.
**Contract fee: We have a small surcharge to cover our costs to draw up our rental agreement with you.
***Premium location fee: Sometimes a premium airport or downtown location will charge us an additional surcharge for each rental and we are upfront about this cost in your package! The price will depend on the location selected.
****Registration recovery fee: We pay a surcharge to cover our vehicle registration and compulsory third-party insurance costs and we highlight this clearly in your package breakdown.
At Redspot, we believe in straight-up honesty! Just so you’re in the loop, all the nitty-gritty on damage liability and extra charges can be found in our terms and conditions.
Redspot: Where every rental is spot-on
Fully Aussie-owned and operated
Founded, owned and operated by local Aussie family for over 35 years!
Personalised care
Our small, dedicated teams in over 45 spots around Australia are here to help out wherever the road takes you.
Amazing value
Get the most bang for your buck with our all-inclusive packages and customisable options in between.
No hidden costs
All taxes and GST with no extra fees are included in our rates.
24/7 roadside assistance
All our rental cars are covered by 24-hour mechanical breakdown assistance.
Where to go with a Redspot Electric Car Rental
Redspot has over five branches across Sydney alone. You can find well-maintained and high-quality EV rentals in our airport (domestic and international), Mascot and Sydney City and Lidcombe branches.
We first opened in Sydney in 1989, and our expert staff have been helping customers explore our beautiful city ever since. If you’re looking for environmentally friendly road trips, more legroom, or you’re just curious about trying out your first EV, Redspot is here to meet your needs!
Electric Car Hire Sydney Airport
Start an adventure in a hired EV as soon as you’ve touched down. You can find a Redspot kiosk in both the international and domestic terminals.
Our EVs are a fantastic choice for exploring Sydney in zero-emissions comfort. You’ll find plenty of charging points across the city, so be sure to check if where you’re shopping or staying has the right station for your EV hire.
Electric Car Hire Mascot
Grab a sleek electric sedan with Redspot to explore Sydney’s bustling Mascot area in style and comfort. With close proximity to the airport and Sydney’s most popular suburbs, you can start exploring the city’s hidden gems straight away!
Electric Car Hire Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie is your gateway to exploring the most stunning beaches and forests of New South Wales. WIth two convenient locations in Port Macquarie Airport and a car rental branch on Bolwarra Road, you can take the wheel on a carbon emissions free road trip!
EV Hire Sydney FAQs
Is electric car charging free in Australia?
EV charging in Australia can be either free or paid, depending on the location. A ‘free’ charging station is often located inside paid car parks, but there are other free public charging options available in public car parks, hotels and restaurants. Please be aware that free chargers may have a time limit.
How far can an electric car go in one charge?
Depends on the make and model of the electric car! The Tesla Model Y has an average range of 466 to 551 km, while the 2025 Lucid Air sedan has the current longest range of 823 km.
An EV’s range can vary depending on multiple factors, such as break usage, road conditions and elevation. Be sure to stay within your estimated ranges to avoid running out of battery on the road.
Does Redspot charge you for EV charging?
No, Redspot won’t charge you for refilling your EV battery. However, please ensure the battery is fully recharged when you return your vehicle. That way, you can avoid any refuelling fees (and we’ll be really grateful!)
How much does an electric car cost per 100 km?
The cost to charge an electric vehicle per 100 km depends on the car’s efficiency, the charging station’s rate, electricity prices and where and how you charge it.
On average, drivers typically pay $4 to $7 per 100 km in Australia. For comparison, a petrol car can cost $10 to $14 per 100 km.
Are electric vehicles expensive to maintain?
EVs typically require much less maintenance than an ICE engine car, as there are fewer components to maintain and require fewer fluids (like oil) to function.
Is it free to charge an EV at a hotel?
Some hotels happily offer complimentary EV charging, while others may require a fee or a reservation for access to an EV charging station. Check with your hotel in advance to enjoy free charging when you’re not exploring.
Is it cheaper to rent an electric car?
Whether an electric car or a petrol car is cheaper to rent depends on your provider, the make of the car and the current going rates. Check our handy rental car booking tool to scope out the current rates for hiring an electric car from Sydney with Redspot.
Any other questions? Chat with our friendly Redspot team for all your EV hire enquiries today.
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