Paying for a Tesla Supercharger when driving a rental car is straightforward. The cost is automatically billed to the credit card linked to the Tesla account of the person who rented the car. You do not pay at the charger itself. The key is confirming with the rental company that the specific car you're renting includes Supercharging and understanding how they will bill you for the electricity used, which is often done after you return the vehicle.
When you plug a Tesla into a Supercharger, the station identifies the vehicle. The payment is handled through the Tesla account associated with the car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). For rental fleets, the rental company manages this account. Your responsibility is to use the charger and settle the cost with the rental company later. Most major rental agencies that offer Teslas, like Hertz and others, have a specific process for this.
Always confirm the policy before you rent. Some companies might include a certain amount of charging in the daily rate, while others charge you a per-kWh rate or a premium on the electricity cost. Failing to confirm this could lead to unexpected fees on your final bill. The process is seamless from a user perspective, but the financial settlement happens through the rental company's billing system.
Here’s a comparison of common rental company charging policies for Teslas:
| Rental Company | Typical Billing Method | Key Consideration |
|---|
| Hertz | Pay-Per-Use | You are billed for the exact kilowatt-hours (kWh) consumed during your rental period. |
| Avis | Flat Fee / Service Charge | May apply a convenience fee on top of the electricity cost. |
| Sixt | Included / Premium Package | Supercharging cost might be included in a specific EV rental package. |
| Tesla Rental (Turo) | Varies by Owner | The private owner sets the policy; it could be reimbursed or billed via the app. |
| Other Local Agencies | Post-Rental Invoice | May calculate and invoice you after comparing the car's state of charge at pickup and return. |
