Electric Car Hire
Looking for electric vehicle hire?
We've expanded our fleet with a growing range of electric cars and vans available across the UK.
Book now
Electric hire, made easy
Why hire an EV with Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental
Hassle-free
booking
Book online, by phone, or in branch – simple and flexible.
No hidden
costs
Insurance, VAT, and roadside assistance are included as standard with every hire.
Convenient
UK locations
Pick-up and drop-off at branches across the UK.
Additional
extras available
Tailor your hire to suit your needs with our range of additional extras, including child seats, dash cams, and additional driver options.
Travel more
sustainably
EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce air pollution and your carbon footprint. Every journey becomes a cleaner, greener choice.
Lower running
costs
Charging an EV is usually cheaper than petrol or diesel. While costs vary, EVs have lower running costs and are often exempt from emissions charges like ULEZ.
A smoother,
quieter drive
With no engine noise and instant acceleration, EVs offer a relaxing and comfortable driving experience - ideal for both city driving and longer trips.
Travel more
sustainably
EVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, helping to reduce air pollution and your carbon footprint. Every journey becomes a cleaner, greener choice.
Lower running
costs
Charging an EV is usually cheaper than petrol or diesel. While costs vary, EVs have lower running costs and are often exempt from emissions charges like ULEZ.
A smoother,
quieter drive
With no engine noise and instant acceleration, EVs offer a relaxing and comfortable driving experience - ideal for both city driving and longer trips.
Our electric vehicles
Models vary by location, but all our EV's are modern, reliable and easy to drive. Some models in our fleet include:
Vauxhall Corsa
- Compact and efficient, ideal for short journeys and city driving
- 50kWh battery, up to 209 miles (WLTP) range
- Charger types: Fast (Type 2), Rapid (CCS)
Nissan Leaf
- A comfortable EV, great for family journeys
- 39kWh battery, up to 168 miles (WLTP) range
- Charger types: Fast (Type 2), Rapid (CHAdeMO)
Kia e-Niro
- Spacious, comfortable, and long-range - ideal for longer trips
- 64kWh battery, up to 285 miles (WLTP) range
- Charger types: Fast (Type 2), Rapid (CCS)
Citroen ë-Berlingo
- A versatile, small van with excellent efficiency
- 50kWh battery, up to 171 miles (WLTP) range
- Charger types: Fast (Type 2), Rapid (CCS)
Mercedes-Benz eVito
- A medium, practical van with generous load space
- 66kWh battery, up to 162 miles (WLTP) range
- Charger types: Fast (Type 2), Rapid (CCS)
Where can I charge?
Arnold Clark Charge
Ultra-rapid EV charging at an ultra-low price. Arnold Clark Charge is our UK-wide ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging network, with over 400 charging points across the UK. Our current charging rate is £0.55p / kWh. (Sep 2025)
Book in advance using the Arnold Clark app or head straight to our Pay & Go bays - no pre-booking needed.
Learn more Find your nearest charger
Public charging
Alternatively, the UK has thousands of public chargers in cities, service stations and car parks. Apps such as Zapmap and Electroverse make it easy to plan your journey and find chargers.
Things to consider when choosing a public charger:
- Which charger types are available - this varies by area.
- How it impacts your route - EV charging can take longer than a petrol stop, so it's helpful to factor charging time into your travel plans.
- Whether the charger requires a specific app, or if you need an account with the provider - while most public chargers allow simple contactless payment, some networks require registration.
Our advice is to always plan ahead and check charger availability before longer journeys.
Charger types
The time it takes to charge your EV will depend on vehicle model, battery size, and the charging station output. Different charger types offer various charging speeds:
Slow chargers
Best for overnight or long-stay charging.
Charging speed
Up to 3kW
Time to charge
Up to 24 hours*
Electricity source
Uses a Type 2 connector cable
Fast chargers
Best for medium-stay charging. Common at public charging stations.
Charging speed
7kW - 22kW
Time to charge
1-7 hours*
Electricity source
Uses a Type 2 connector cable
Rapid/Ultra-rapid chargers
Best for short-stay charging. Common at public charging stations.
Charging speed
50kW - 350kW DC
(or 43kW AC)
Time to charge
18-60 minutes (10-80%)*
Electricity source
Uses a CCS or CHADeMO connector cable
*May vary depending on charger, vehicle type and the weather.
How to charge
step-by-step
- Locate and open your vehicle's charge door and remove the covers protecting the sockets. Depending on the vehicle, the charge door may be located at the front or the back.
- Plug in the connector firmly until it clicks. For fast charging, use your Type 2 cable. For rapid and ultra-rapid charging, use the CCS or CHAdeMO cable attached to the charging unit.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. Tap your contactless card or start the session via a charging app such as Octopus Electroverse or Zapmap. You may need to select the connector type and press 'Start'.
- Track your charging progress on the charger's screen or, if using the Arnold Clark Charge network, via the Arnold Clark app.
- To finish, open the charge door, unplug the charging cable and return it to your boot or the changing station. You're ready to hit the road!
Top tips
Range
Range varies with weather conditions, speed, and driving style, so we recommend keeping your charge between 20% - 80%.
Regenerative braking
Your EV recovers energy when you slow down through a process called regenerative braking - so when you lift off the accelerator, the vehicle gently brakes and converts that kinetic energy into charge for your battery. This helps to extend your range and is completely normal.
Overstaying
Once you've reached your desired charge level, make sure to unplug and continue your journey. Some public charging stations apply fees if you stay plugged in after charging is complete.
Frequently asked questions
How many miles can I travel in my hired electric vehicle?
The distance you can travel depends on the make and model of the vehicle, and whether it is a battery electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid. The average range of an electric car in the UK is 193 miles.
Are all electric vehicles automatic?
Yes, all electric vehicles are automatic - they don't require a clutch and don't have a multi-speed gearbox.
Will my hired electric vehicle be fully charged when I collect it?
All EVs will be charged to a minimum of 80%. You should also return a rental EV with a minimum of 80% charge.
If the vehicle is returned with less than 80% charge, there will be an electric re-charging cost (including surcharge) per kWh including VAT.
What charging cables and plugs come with the EV I have hired?
All our electric rental vehicles come with a Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.
Which Arnold Clark locations offer electric vehicle hire?
Electric vehicle hire is available across Arnold Clark's UK rental network. Availability varies by location, but our team will help you source a suitable vehicle.
Why does charging cost differ between locations?
Charging costs can vary widely across the UK. The cost you pay depends on the charging network operator, charger speed, and location. Typical UK price ranges are**:
Fast: 54p/kWh
Rapid/Ultra-rapid: 79p/kWh
Arnold Clark Charge offers ultra-rapid EV charging at an ultra-low price. Our current charging rate is £0.55p/kWh. Find out more.
**Based on ZapMap industry average charging rates as of May 2026.
What is it like driving an electric vehicle?
Electric vehicles feel comfortable to drive, with instant acceleration and no gears. Plus, without an internal combustion engine, they offer a quiet driving experience.