Europcar’s fleet to be filled with EV’s

Europcar has secured nearly $5 million in funding from the Federal Government to launch its own electric vehicle (EV) charging network and incorporate almost 3100 battery-powered rental cars into its Australian fleet.

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has greenlit a funding allocation of $4.76 million for Europcar’s Electric Rental Vehicle and Charging Infrastructure Rollout project, which is valued at $110.63 million.

Under ARENA’s approval, Europcar aims to introduce 3093 EVs to its Australian rental fleet over the next three years. Among the EVs in its rental offerings are popular models such as the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, and Cupra Born.

While some rental companies have been cautious about integrating EVs into their fleets, Europcar plans to operate the cars for one to two years before selling them in the used market through established dealerships.

In addition to expanding its EV rental fleet, Europcar will install 256 EV chargers across 41 locations in Australia. These chargers, sourced with support from energy firm Ampol’s Ampcharge division, will consist of 250 22kW AC chargers and six 75kW DC chargers.

Darren Miller, CEO of ARENA, emphasised the environmental benefits of Europcar’s project in reducing emissions in the rental car market while also broadening the availability of EVs in the second-hand market.

Meanwhile, while Europcar moves forward with its EV expansion, Hertz in the US has shifted its strategy regarding EVs. Hertz had previously planned to acquire 65,000 EVs from Polestar by 2027 but recently withdrew from the agreement, citing rising depreciation and repair costs. Additionally, Hertz announced its intention to sell 20,000 EVs from its US fleet, following challenges in fulfilling its initial order of 100,000 Teslas.

In October 2022, Europcar was among 100 companies advocating for Australia to have one million EVs on local roads by 2027.