Electric Car Rental in Tuscany – Everything You Need to Know

Electric car rental in Tuscany can be a great way to explore the region while staying eco-friendly and saving on fuel. I tested this option myself and in this guide, you’ll find real-world tips, what surprised me most, and what to watch out for—especially when it comes to charging stations and country roads.

Why I Chose an Electric Car for My Tuscan Road Trip

Planning to start your trip in Florence? Our detailed guide to renting a car in Florence covers everything you need to know.

Even though I live in Tuscany and have my own car, I’ve been curious for a while to see what it’s really like to explore the region in a fully electric vehicle.

The idea of driving something silent, modern, and more sustainable sounded ideal—especially in a place as scenic as Tuscany.

So when I got a voucher from DiscoverCars, I took the opportunity to rent an electric vehicle (EV) for a one-day trip with my family. It was the perfect chance to test the practicality of EVs on the Tuscan roads.

Booking the EV: Smooth and Simple

Using DiscoverCars’ platform, the booking process was fast and easy. The website is user-friendly and available in multiple languages, including English, Italian, and Portuguese.

Similar to Booking.com (but for cars), DiscoverCars compares offers from many rental companies. I chose Florence Airport as my pick-up and drop-off location, selected the date, and filtered the results to show only electric vehicles.

Tip: Make sure to filter for top-rated rental companies (8+ score) and check that your chosen car includes unlimited mileage—perfect for road trips. Also, consider adding full coverage insurance for peace of mind in case of unexpected incidents during your trip.

Our One-Day Itinerary with the EV

Here was the plan:

• 08:00–08:30 – Pick up the car at Florence Airport area
• 10:00–13:00 – Visit San Galgano Abbey and Montesiepe
• 13:30–15:00 – Explore Chiusdino
• 15:00 onward – Optional detour to Volterra, time permitting
• Return the car by 18:30

The full route covered between 214 and 258 km, depending on whether we made it to Volterra.

What I underestimated was the charging time. Unlike traditional cars, charging an EV isn’t a five-minute stop. You need to plan around it.

Pick-Up Day: Expectations vs. Reality

We arrived at the rental location right on time—eager to start our electric adventure. As soon as the office opened, we were the first ones there, and the check-in process was fast and straightforward. I didn’t even need to show my DiscoverCars voucher; they found the reservation right away using my name.

Although I had already purchased full coverage insurance through DiscoverCars, the rental agent offered me additional insurance directly through their company. I politely declined since I was already fully covered and didn’t want to pay twice for the same protection.

We explained that this would be our first time driving an electric car, and that the main purpose of this trip was to get a feel for how EVs perform on a real road trip in Tuscany. The staff was friendly and gave us some helpful tips:

Don’t let the battery drop below 30%.

Avoid using the air conditioning if you’re running low on charge.

Use the Enel X Way app to find charging stations easily.

They also told us something reassuring: although our reservation showed a return time of 6:30 PM, it was actually valid for 24 hours—so we could return the car as late as 8:00 AM the next morning if needed. That gave us a bit more flexibility.

The only real surprise came with the car itself. When I booked online, the listing showed something like a “Compact Crossover – Jeep Avenger or similar.” But when we got to the counter, we were handed the keys to a colorful Fiat 500 electric.

I had been expecting something larger—especially for a family day trip—so I asked about it. The agent explained that the vehicle type shown online is only illustrative, and the actual model depends on availability.

I decided to embrace the moment. The Fiat 500, though small, was charming and undeniably Italian. Its compact size would actually be an advantage on the narrow streets of medieval towns. So we accepted the car and got a quick rundown on how to start, drive, and charge it.

It came with a full charge, as promised, but only included a basic “household” charging cable—essentially for home use. The agent explained that most public stations would have their own cables or faster connectors, and suggested we rely on the Enel X Way app to locate them.

At that point, everything seemed under control. What could possibly go wrong?

On the Road: What It’s Really Like to Drive an EV in Tuscany

Driving the EV was a dream: smooth, quiet, and responsive. We were loving it—until the battery started to drop.

We found a charging station near San Galgano Abbey, but it didn’t have a cable. No big deal—we still had enough range.

In Chiusdino, there were no chargers at all. Still okay.

Then we reached Volterra and hit a wall: the charging station required our own cable. And we didn’t have one.

With the EV battery draining and our phone batteries also running low, things got stressful. We scrambled to find a working charger on the way back to Florence. Several stops later—and a few dead ends—we finally found a fast-charging Plenitude station in Colle Val d’Elsa. Relief!

We charged up to 100% in about an hour, grabbed some gelato at a nearby tennis club, and took a breather.

To return the car with a full charge, we made another stop at a Q8 station near the airport. It took nearly an hour to charge the remaining 20%.

Conclusion: Was It Worth Renting an Electric Car in Tuscany?

To be completely honest, our trip would have been much smoother with a regular car. If you’re used to just filling up the tank and hitting the road, dealing with multiple apps (often in Italian), searching for compatible charging stations, and learning how EVs work on the go can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time.

That said, we were also a bit naïve. The biggest mistake we made was not leaving the rental office with the proper charging cable. Most electric rentals are supposed to include one, and relying on public charging stations to provide it is a gamble that didn’t pay off. If we had insisted on getting the cable, we probably would’ve explored Volterra in peace, recharged the car while sightseeing, and avoided all the stress.

Still, there were plenty of positives. The car itself was a joy to drive—quiet, light, and responsive. And the whole experience delivered exactly what I hoped for: a real-life test of what it’s like to drive electric in Tuscany. Now I know the ups, the downs, and the things I’d do differently next time—and hopefully, you will too.

It’s also important to mention that none of the charging setbacks were DiscoverCars’ fault. Just like when you book a hotel through a third-party platform and find out your room is missing towels—the issue lies with the hotel, not the platform. Same thing here: the rental company should have included the cable.

If you’re curious about EVs and ready for a bit of an adventure, I’d still encourage you to give it a try—just go prepared.

10 Tips for Renting an EV in Tuscany

Download at least two charging apps in advance: I recommend Plenitude On The Road and Enel X Way. Create your account and add a payment method before your trip.

Have a working data plan: If you’re coming from outside the EU, consider an eSIM like Holafly to stay connected. You’ll need internet to find charging stations on the go.

Never leave the rental office without a proper charging cable: Many public chargers require your own cable—especially in smaller towns and historic centers.

Check your EV’s range and battery life: Not all models are equal. Know how far you can go on a full charge.

Plan your stops wisely: Charging can take 30–90 minutes. Choose scenic or practical stops with cafés, restrooms, or attractions.

Avoid using A/C when battery is low: It drains power faster than you think—especially on uphill drives.

Don’t risk running low at night: Not all stations are lit or operational after dark. Keep your charge above 30%.

Returning with full battery? Plan ahead: It may take an hour or more to top off. Some rental companies allow returns with partial charge—check in advance.

Have a backup plan: Save extra station locations in your map app in case your first option doesn’t work.

Book through a reliable platform like DiscoverCars: Their interface is easy to use, prices are competitive, and customer support was solid in my experience.

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Have you tried driving an electric vehicle in Italy? Share your experience in the comments. And if you have any tips for future travelers, we’d love to hear them!