Quick Summary:
- Confirm home, hotel, and public charging options near your Los Angeles routes.
- Check which charging cable and adaptor are included, and replacements fees.
- Set up charging apps and payment methods before you reach the forecourt.
- Ask if charging can be billed to your agreement, plus admin fees.
Choosing an electric vehicle for car hire in Los Angeles can be straightforward, but only if you confirm the charging basics before you collect the keys. LA has excellent charging coverage compared with many cities, yet the details still matter, especially if you are landing late, staying in a multi-storey car park, or planning long days on freeways. The best time to avoid surprises is right before pick-up, when you can match the car’s charge port, the supplied equipment, and your planned charging locations.
This guide focuses on four practical areas to confirm at the desk or in your pre-arrival email: charging access near where you will actually drive, whether cables and adaptors are included, which apps you should set up, and whether charging costs can be billed back to your rental agreement. It is written for travellers who want an informational checklist, not a sales pitch, and it assumes you may be collecting at an airport location such as LAX. For local context on pick-up points, see Los Angeles LAX car rental and, if your itinerary starts in Orange County, Santa Ana SNA car rental.
1) Confirm where you can charge, based on your real itinerary
“There are chargers in Los Angeles” is true, but it is not the same as “there are chargers where I need them, when I need them”. Before pick-up, confirm your charging plan across three places: overnight, daytime top-ups, and contingency charging.
Overnight charging: If you are staying at a hotel or rental apartment, ask if they have Level 2 charging, whether it is restricted to guests, and whether there is a fee per hour or per session. Many LA properties have chargers but limit access, require valet, or have queues at peak times. If you will park off-street in a garage, confirm the garage hours and whether you can access the charger after late arrivals.
Daytime charging: Identify two to three chargers near the places you will spend time, such as theme parks, beaches, studios, or business districts. In Los Angeles, the distance between neighbourhoods can be deceptive due to traffic, and stop-start driving can affect efficiency differently from steady motorway cruising. Your best daytime option is usually a DC fast charger near a reliable amenity, so you can combine charging with food or errands.
Contingency charging: Confirm at least one back-up charging area near your accommodation and another near your return location. This matters because LA chargers can be busy, out of service, or inaccessible due to parking enforcement. A back-up plan reduces the risk of returning under the agreed charge level and incurring a fee.
At the counter, ask the agent whether the EV is approved for DC fast charging and what maximum charging speed it supports. If the vehicle’s charging curve is slower than you expect, the difference can be meaningful on a tight schedule. Also confirm whether the in-car navigation includes charger routing and real-time availability, or if you will be relying on phone apps for planning.
2) Verify the car’s charge port and what cables are actually supplied
Not all EV charging connections are interchangeable, and the question is not only “does the car charge?” but “can I use the chargers I will encounter with the equipment I have?”. Before you leave the car park, confirm the port type and the equipment included in the boot.
Port type: In the US, most non-Tesla EVs use CCS for DC fast charging and J1772 for Level 2. Many Tesla vehicles use the NACS connector. Access to certain networks may require an adaptor, and compatibility can vary by model year and provider policy. Ask the staff to confirm the exact port and whether the vehicle is authorised to use third-party networks with an adaptor.
Included charging cable: Some rentals include a Level 1 or Level 2 cable, sometimes called a “mobile connector”, while others do not. If a cable is included, confirm: the plug type (standard wall outlet or higher-power outlet), the cable’s condition, and whether there is a bag or case. If it is not included, you will likely rely on public charging exclusively, so your overnight plan becomes more important.
Adaptors: If the vehicle is a Tesla and you expect to use non-Tesla Level 2 chargers, you may need a J1772 adaptor. If you expect to use certain DC fast chargers, you may need an adaptor in the other direction, subject to network and vehicle support. Confirm what is included, what is permitted, and what you would be charged if an adaptor is lost or damaged.
Replacement and damage fees: Ask for clarity on how missing cables or adaptors are billed. The important detail is whether the fee is a flat replacement cost, plus administrative charges, plus tax. You do not want to discover at drop-off that a missing accessory triggers a large penalty.
If you are picking up at LAX, where you may be keen to exit quickly, it still helps to do a two-minute boot check before leaving. If you are selecting a larger vehicle type for luggage, note that storage layouts differ. Some travellers comparing larger options around LA look at categories like SUV hire at LAX, but the equipment check remains the same regardless of size.
3) Clarify what “charge level at pick-up” and “return level” really mean
Petrol policies are familiar, but EV policies vary more than many travellers expect. Before you drive away, confirm the pick-up charge level and the return requirement in plain terms, then align it with your final-day schedule.
Pick-up level: Ask what percentage the vehicle will have at collection. Some fleets aim for a high state of charge, while others hand over vehicles at whatever level they were last returned. If you are starting with less charge than expected, you may want to schedule a quick top-up early, before traffic and plans take over.
Return level requirement: Common approaches include returning at the same percentage as pick-up, returning above a minimum threshold, or returning “as is” with the provider charging for replenishment. Confirm which applies to your agreement, and confirm whether the requirement is a percentage (for example, 70 percent) or a range.
Recharging fees: If you return below the requirement, ask how the recharge is priced. Key points are the per-kWh rate (or flat fee), any service or convenience fee, and whether there is a separate penalty if the car is returned very low. These costs can exceed what you would have paid by charging yourself, especially near busy airports.
Time planning: In Los Angeles, allow extra time for charging on your final day. Even if a charger is nearby, there may be a queue, and DC fast charging speeds taper as the battery fills. If you need to return the car with a high charge, the fastest option might be a brief DC top-up earlier in the day, rather than trying to fill from low to high right before drop-off.
Also ask whether the car’s display percentage is the official figure used at return. Some companies use the vehicle’s telematics reading, others use what the agent sees on the dash. Aligning on “the number that counts” reduces disputes.
4) Set up charging apps and payment, and confirm what the rental includes
App setup is one of the most common friction points for EV travellers. The solution is to do it before you are standing at a charger with a low battery and poor signal.
Network coverage: Ask which networks are most practical near your planned areas. In LA you will see multiple operators, and each may require its own app, account, and stored payment method. Even when tap-to-pay is available, it can be inconsistent by station.
Account readiness: Before pick-up, download likely charging apps and set up: your account profile, payment card, and any identity checks. Some apps place a small authorisation hold. If you are travelling with a UK card, confirm it works smoothly in-app. Where possible, enable biometric login so you can start a session quickly.
Roaming and signal: If you will rely on mobile data, check your roaming plan. Chargers in underground car parks can have weak reception, making app-based activation difficult. Keeping at least one RFID card option is rare for travellers, so a back-up charger location with better signal is useful.
In-car charging features: Confirm whether the car supports “plug and charge” style activation on certain networks, and whether it is enabled for your rental. If it is not, plan on app activation. Also confirm whether the car’s navigation can precondition the battery en route to a fast charger, which can improve charging speed.
This is also a good time to confirm any optional packages your agreement may include, such as a pre-paid charging plan or a convenience bundle. The important thing is to understand what it covers, what it excludes, and whether it changes how you start charging sessions. If you are comparing providers, Hola Car Rentals lists multiple options at LAX, including Enterprise at LAX and Payless at LAX, and each may have different EV processes depending on fleet and location.
5) Ask whether charging costs can be billed to your agreement
The title question is especially important here: can you charge and have the cost billed back to your rental agreement, rather than paying the charging network directly? The answer can vary by network, by vehicle, and by the rental company’s programme.
Direct billing versus pay-at-charger: Many public chargers are simply pay-as-you-go, meaning you pay the network via app or card. Some rental programmes allow charging to be billed to the agreement through an in-car account, a fleet card, or a plug-and-charge arrangement. Confirm which applies to your specific vehicle, not just the brand in general.
What “billed to the agreement” includes: If agreement billing is available, ask what line items you will see. There may be: the energy cost, a session fee, and an administrative or convenience fee. Clarify whether you will be billed at the network’s posted rate or at a different rate set by the programme.
Where it works: Agreement billing often works only on partner networks or specific charger types. Confirm which networks are eligible in Los Angeles, and whether the feature is limited to DC fast charging or also works for Level 2.
How to activate it: If billing is handled by the vehicle, you may need to start sessions from the car screen, not from the charger app. If billing is handled by a fleet card, you may need a card or code from the counter. Ask for a short explanation and, if possible, a printed note on your agreement so you can reference it later.
Receipts and expense claims: If you need receipts for work travel, confirm how you will obtain them. Network apps often provide detailed receipts, while agreement billing may show a consolidated charge without station-level details. Choose the option that suits your reporting needs.
If agreement billing is not available, there is still value in confirming typical charging costs in LA and planning a realistic budget. Electricity pricing at public fast chargers can vary by time of day and station, and parking fees may apply separately in certain locations.
6) Do a quick “first charge” test and review charging etiquette
A short verification step can prevent hours of inconvenience later. If practical, identify a nearby charger after pick-up and confirm that you can start a session successfully, especially if you are unfamiliar with US charging networks.
Test session: Even a five-minute top-up confirms that: the port opens, the cable fits, payment works, and the car actually draws power. If something fails, it is easier to address while you are still near the pick-up location and during staffed hours.
Charging etiquette: In busy areas of Los Angeles, do not occupy a fast charger once you have enough range, as queues are common. Avoid charging to 100 percent on DC fast chargers unless you genuinely need it, because charging slows significantly near the top. If a station has idle fees, confirm when they start and what they cost, then set a reminder to move the car promptly.
Battery health habits: For a rental, you do not need to be overly cautious, but you can save time by charging in the faster portion of the battery range. If your return policy does not require a very high percentage, aim to keep the battery in a practical band for your driving days and only top-up when it is efficient.
With these confirmations in place, EV car hire in Los Angeles becomes less about guesswork and more about planning. You will know which chargers you can access, what equipment you have, which apps you need, and whether costs will appear on your agreement or your card, which makes the entire trip smoother.
FAQ
Do EV rental cars in Los Angeles usually come with a charging cable? It varies by provider and even by vehicle. Confirm at pick-up whether a Level 1 or Level 2 cable is included, and check the boot before leaving.
Can I use DC fast chargers with any EV I hire? Most modern EVs support DC fast charging, but the maximum speed differs by model and battery condition. Confirm the vehicle’s fast-charging capability and port type before you depart.
What happens if I return the EV with less charge than required? You may be billed a recharge amount and possibly an additional service fee. Ask how the fee is calculated, and what percentage is required on return.
Which apps should I set up before I collect my car? Set up the most common charging network apps you expect to use, and add a payment method in advance. Also confirm whether the car’s navigation can route to chargers and show availability.
Can charging costs be billed directly to my rental agreement? Sometimes, but not always. Ask whether your specific vehicle and network support agreement billing, which networks qualify, and whether administrative fees apply.
