We are planning a trip to Scotland from Edinburgh to Glencoe, on to Skye, Inverness and back in early October. I’m looking at rental car options for pick up at Edinburgh airport and would love advice on the best rental company and whether or not renting an electric vehicle is advisable for that route (expect remote routes). We don’t want to be inconvenienced by careful planning of charge points and the waiting time to charge, but I’m curious if the charging infrastructure in Scotland has improved in the last 2 years. I’m considering a Sixt EV due to their website experience when booking a rental and the fact that it would be fun to drive an EV, in addition to being more eco-friendly. Any advice would be appreciated!!
Posted by
Isle of Skye, Scotland
1485 posts
No the charging infrastructure is still dire and the main reason that we haven't bought an electric car. Skye has few chargers and they often break down. I would strongly advise against getting an EV rental car. Many forum members say that the best rental company to use in Scotland is Arnold Clark or their agent Celtic Legend. Avoid Green Motion at all costs.
I had some B&B guests who were badly let down by Sixt when their car got a flat tyre. In the end I had to call a local garage to come and help them out. Of course they then had to pay the garage when Sixt should have sorted the problem as they had taken tyre insurance.
Posted by
OP
Alabama
2 posts
Thank you!! Very helpful
Posted by
Chicagoland
1004 posts
We booked our rental in 2023 through Celtic Legends picking up our car at the Arnold Clark location near Glasgow Airport and returning the car outside Edinburgh 2 weeks later. No drop off fee and no fee for 2nd driver.
Both companies were easy to work with.
I don't recall seeing many charging stations .
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12728 posts
and the fact that it would be fun to drive an EV,
That makes me think you do not have an electric car and therefore are not familiar with the charging procedure. You want to spend your vacation time learning?
From what I have seen/read, it is not as simple as charging your phone or computer.
Posted by
Freedonia
17652 posts
Unless you know exactly where there are charging stations, and can guarantee you will be able to use them, I agree with others to NOT rent an electric vehicle.
With a regular car, you need fuel, you add it to the car in a few minutes. With an electric vehicle, it can take hours. Do you want to spend a chunk of your vacation time waiting for the car to charge?