Last spring, I embarked on a trip to Italy with friends that took an unexpected turn – we accidentally rented an electric car. What began as a potential travel headache quickly transformed into a delightful adventure, filled with unplanned stops and unique experiences. Despite the learning curve, from slow charging stations to unexpected delays, I wouldn’t hesitate to rent an EV again.
It all started at the Milano Linate Airport. After collecting our rental, we were informed that we were getting an electric car. It wasn’t our first choice, but the automatic transmission was necessary. We grabbed the keys to our Mokka SUV and set off, unaware of the adventures to come.
Our initial plan was to spend three days exploring Lake Como. We figured the car’s charge would last us. On the fourth day, however, we realized we needed to recharge. That’s when the challenges truly began. We innocently plugged into a low-voltage charger. After hours of waiting, the car’s battery was still only partially charged. Panic set in. The math was not in our favor: we estimated it would take 12 hours to travel from Lake Como to Florence, a journey we had budgeted for five hours.
One friend began calling the rental company, hoping to negotiate a swap for a gas car. I began frantically searching online to see how people managed their lives with electric cars. Then, we realized our mistake. We were using the wrong charger. A high-voltage charger would have our car’s battery at 80% in just 30 minutes. The panic swiftly turned into laughter. While we felt relieved, we were uncertain if we’d regret our EV rental choice. However, in hindsight, the convenience and impact on our carbon footprint outweighed the potential for inconvenience.
Planning around charging became a constant. We frequently forgot to monitor the battery, leading to stressful searches for charging stations. The car’s estimated mileage was also unreliable; highways drained the battery much faster than city driving. Even when we planned charging stops, we often had to adjust.
These unplanned stops, however, were the highlight of our two-week trip. We found ourselves in Piacenza, an Italian town I had never heard of. Our battery was nearly depleted, so we decided to explore. We sipped Aperol spritzes, enjoyed gelato, and admired the town’s architecture. Had we been in a gas car, we would have likely driven right through Piacenza on our way to the more popular Florence.
A few days later, we stopped in Sasso Marconi, exploring a local market and chatting with friendly locals at a café. These unexpected afternoons in smaller towns gave us a more authentic glimpse of Italy, a side I had previously overlooked. The electric car forced us to go off the beaten path, and it even saved us money. Charging was included in the rental, and since electric vehicles have lower emissions, I was happy to slightly reduce my carbon footprint. With those three factors in mind, I’d gladly rent an EV again.
