EV rentals in Iceland went from novelty to normal in about three years. Most of the big rental companies now offer the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5/6, Kia EV6, Polestar 2 and a few others. Whether one makes sense for you depends on your route.
What does an EV rental cost?
In summer, expect 15,000–25,000 ISK/day (≈ €100–170) for a Model Y or similar. Off-peak (October–April), prices drop 30–50%. Add ~3,000 ISK/day for charging, less if your hotel has free AC charging.
Against a petrol rental of similar size, EVs usually cost 10–20% more per day but are 40–60% cheaper to fuel. Where it breaks even depends on how far you drive. On a Ring Road trip (1,300+ km) the EV usually comes out cheaper overall.
Where EV rentals shine
- Golden Circle: a short loop with plenty of chargers. No range anxiety.
- South Coast (Reykjavík to Vík): well covered, with lots of places to top up.
- Reykjanes peninsula: a small loop with a charger at every other corner.
- Ring Road in summer: the days are long enough that charging stops don't eat into your plans.
Where EV rentals struggle
- Westfjords: few chargers, long distances and mountain passes that drain the battery fast. Doable with planning, frustrating without. Check the Westfjords charging map before you commit.
- Highland F-roads: almost no EVs are insured for F-roads anyway, and battery drain on rough ground is brutal.
- Winter Ring Road: possible, but plan 30–40% more buffer for range lost to the cold.
What rental companies don't tell you
- Charging cards / apps: usually not included with the rental. You'll need to register your own. See the EV guide.
- Tesla Supercharging is not bundled: Hertz Iceland and the other major rental companies bill Supercharging to your own Tesla app / card, with no included credit. Set up the Tesla app and a payment card before you fly.
- Damage policies: wind-damaged doors, gravel chips on the windscreen and battery damage are often not covered, or come with huge deductibles. Read the contract.
Practical pickup tips
- Pick up the car with at least 80% charge. If it's lower, ask them to top it up.
- Test the charge port flap and cable lock before you leave the lot.
- Ask whether hotel AC charging works with a card you already have, or whether you'll need to register for something new.
The verdict
For a 4–7 day trip around the South Coast, Golden Circle and Reykjanes, an EV rental is great. For the full Ring Road in summer, still great. For the Westfjords or any winter highland trip, take a petrol or diesel rental and don't fight it. Browse the full station directory to plan around your route.
Discover Cars lists EVs alongside petrol and diesel cars from the same operators, so one search shows you the real price gap for your trip.
Compare rental prices →