Electric Car Rental: What Is Important to Know

For a Dream Car Rental customer renting an electric vehicle (EV) in Perth, it's important not just to get a car, but also to ensure that the charging infrastructure matches the route and needs.

We’ll talk about charging station networks, pricing, trip planning strategies, and practical usage features for those looking for an electric car rental Perth or planning a car hire Perth for trips around Western Australia.

Charging Infrastructure in Western Australia

WA EV Network: The Basis of the Network

The state of Western Australia has implemented the WA EV Network project, designed to connect regional charging points and make it possible to travel by electric vehicle throughout the state.

The network covers 49 locations with 110 charging points from the southern border to the northern regions. The length of the electric motorway is about 7,000 km — an important factor for customers planning to rent a car in Perth and travel across the region.

Authorized stations are often equipped with DC fast chargers (integrated CCS2 cables) and a backup AC charger (Type 2 socket). Charging levels (Level 2, Level 3) vary depending on the location.

The network is managed through the Chargefox application — for payment, reservation, and station operation info.

However, infrastructure still needs improvement:
The 2025 report indicates that the average distance between stations is about 200 km, which is too long for safe trips in remote areas. Authorities propose reducing this to ~100 km between points.

There are also issues with support, communications, and reliability — especially in remote areas — which should be considered when renting.

Local Coverage of Perth and the Coast

In Perth and its suburbs, charging infrastructure is growing, but public Level 2 chargers (7–22 kW) are not always available in sufficient numbers.

Within the WA EV Network, some stations are already connected to the power grid via Western Power, especially in areas within the Southern Energy System (SWIS).

For Dream Car Rental customers travelling along the Coral Coast, the charging infrastructure makes the route convenient and predictable. It connects Perth to coastal neighborhoods and natural attractions — ideal for those choosing car rental Perth Australia.

Charging Costs and Tariffs

Home Charging and "Off-Peak" Tariffs

Although renting an EV usually doesn’t involve charging at home, these tariffs help estimate trip costs.

The state-owned Synergy company offers tariffs encouraging night or low-load charging.
Home (off-peak) charging costs around 20–25¢/kWh, meaning 100 km ≈ A$3–4, making electric car hire Australia both eco-friendly and cost-effective.

Public Charging Stations

At WA EV Network stations, fares depend on capacity, location, and time.

DC fast charging tariffs range from AUD $0.40–$0.60/kWh.
Installing a 150 kW station costs AUD $40,000–100,000, depending on infrastructure.

Government programs:

• Charge Up EV Charging Grants: covers up to 50% of charger installation costs (AC & DC) for businesses and municipalities.
• Zero Emissions Vehicle Rebate: $3,500 discount on new EV purchases.
  By end of 2024: 9,200 applications, $32.2M approved.

For renters, this shows that EV operation is affordable in the region.

Route Planning and Range Management

Strategies to Avoid Range Anxiety

Planning your route in advance is essential.
Best practices include:

• Use PlugShare and Chargefox apps to locate stations and connectors.
• Carry two cables: a universal mobile charger and a Type 2 cable for AC chargers.
• On highways, stop at 150 kW DC stations — ~200 km range in 20–30 minutes.
• In remote areas, consider distances between stations (~100 km) as recommended in the 2025 report.

These strategies help ensure stress-free long-distance travel across Western Australia.

What This Means for Dream Car Rental and Its Customers

Advantages

• Offering electric vehicles gives a competitive advantage for eco-conscious, cost-efficient customers.
• Ability to provide routes through Coral Coast, regional, and semi-remote areas via the WA EV Network.
• Grants and benefits like Charge Up help offset infrastructure costs — keeping Dream Car Rental modern and sustainable.

Risks and Challenges

• Limited coverage if customers go off-route or into outdated network zones.
• Reliability issues: some stations face downtime or vandalism (especially AC ones).
• Additional costs for tech support and monitoring for premium car rental customers.

Final Thoughts

Electric car rental Perth is becoming increasingly viable thanks to the WA EV Network, which includes 49 locations and 110 charging points, managed via Chargefox and supported by government programs.

For a comfortable EV rental experience:

• Plan routes around charging stations.
• Use PlugShare / Chargefox apps.
• Keep backup cables and charge reserves.
• Ensure rental company support and guidance.

Dream Car Rental positions itself as a reliable partner for modern car rentals — combining comfort, environmental friendliness, and practicality for those who want to rent a car in Australia and embark on a smart electric journey.