Perth has changed. A city that was once almost entirely reliant on the car and the petrol bowser now has a growing network of EV charging infrastructure, a new generation of genuinely impressive electric vehicles on the road, and hire car customers asking a question that barely existed five years ago: should I hire an electric car?
Burswood Car Rentals has been on Perth’s roads for over 42 years and has recently added the CUPRA Tavascan to the fleet as part of our commitment to giving customers modern transport options. Whether an electric hire car is right for your Perth trip depends on where you are going, how far you are travelling, and what kind of driving experience you are looking for. Here is the honest guide.
What Is Available for Electric Hire in Perth?
Burswood Car Rentals is currently trialling electric vehicle hire in Perth with the CUPRA Tavascan, a premium electric SUV from the SEAT/Volkswagen Group’s CUPRA brand. The Tavascan is not a budget compact: it is a proper, striking SUV with European design, instant acceleration, a quiet and refined cabin, and the kind of technology package you would expect from a premium vehicle.
The CUPRA Tavascan delivers an experience that is genuinely different to a conventional petrol car. The acceleration is immediate and smooth. There is no engine noise, which gives the cabin a calm, quiet quality that is particularly noticeable on long highway stretches. And at a time when Perth petrol prices remain a talking point for everyone from commuters to tourists, the running costs of an EV tell their own story.
What Are the Advantages of Hiring an Electric Car in Perth?
- Running cost savings: charging an electric vehicle costs significantly less per kilometre than fuelling a petrol car at Perth pump prices. For a week-long hire in an EV, the difference between charging costs and petrol costs represents a genuine saving, particularly on longer drives
- Zero tailpipe emissions: for travellers who want to reduce the environmental impact of their visit to Western Australia, an EV hire produces no direct tailpipe emissions
- The driving experience: instant torque, smooth acceleration, and a quiet cabin are features that experienced EV drivers consistently describe as something you can’t appreciate until you have driven one. The CUPRA Tavascan in particular delivers genuine driving pleasure alongside its efficiency
- Technology and comfort: the Tavascan comes with advanced driver assistance technology, a premium interior, and cutting-edge infotainment, making it a compelling option for business travellers and anyone who values a premium-quality hire experience
- City driving efficiency: EVs are particularly well suited to city driving because the regenerative braking system recovers energy during deceleration. Perth’s stop-start CBD and inner suburb driving is well matched to an EV’s strengths
What Are the Limitations to Consider?
An honest guide to EV hire would be incomplete without addressing the genuine limitations. These are not reasons to avoid an electric hire car, but they are factors to plan around.
- Range planning: the CUPRA Tavascan has a strong range per charge, but any EV hire in Western Australia requires some route planning if you are heading into regional areas. Perth to Margaret River is an entirely manageable trip in the Tavascan. Perth to Kalbarri or Albany in a single day without advance charging planning requires more consideration
- Charging time vs refuelling time: topping up a petrol car takes four minutes. An EV rapid charge takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on the charger and the state of charge. For some itineraries, this does not matter at all. For others, it requires scheduling a charging stop into the day
- Charging network familiarity: first-time EV drivers sometimes find navigating the charging network slightly unfamiliar. Burswood Car Rentals provides a guide to Perth and WA charging options when you hire the Tavascan, and the car’s navigation system will route you to chargers along your journey
Perth’s EV Charging Landscape
Perth’s public charging network has expanded considerably in recent years, driven by state government investment and commercial deployment. Key charging points relevant to Burswood Car Rentals hire customers include:
- Fast DC chargers in Perth CBD and major shopping precincts including Karrinyup, Innaloo, and Midland Gate
- Rapid charging on the Kwinana Freeway corridor heading south toward Fremantle and Rockingham
- Charging at selected service stations on the South West Highway heading toward Bunbury and Margaret River
- Charging infrastructure at major regional centres including Bunbury and Busselton
The Tavascan’s built-in navigation uses real-time charging point data to plan routes and identify available chargers, which removes much of the guesswork from charge planning.
Is an Electric Hire Car Worth It for Your Perth Trip?
| Trip type | EV suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Perth CBD and inner suburbs | Excellent | City stop-start driving plays to EV strengths. No range concerns. |
| Perth to Fremantle | Excellent | Short trip, easy charging options. Highly recommended. |
| Perth to Margaret River | Very good | Charging available en route and in the region. Plan one stop. |
| Perth to Swan Valley | Excellent | Short round trip well within single charge. |
| Perth to Albany or Esperance | Moderate | Possible with advance planning; requires charging stop at Bunbury or further. |
| Perth to Kalbarri or Exmouth | Not recommended | Charging infrastructure thins significantly beyond Geraldton. |
For the majority of Perth tourist itineraries and business travel needs, the CUPRA Tavascan is not only a viable choice: it is arguably the most enjoyable hire car we have. Contact the Burswood team to check availability and discuss whether the Tavascan suits your planned route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need special knowledge to drive a hire EV?
No. The CUPRA Tavascan drives like a conventional automatic car with one significant difference: there is no gear selection beyond Drive, Reverse, and Park. The accelerator and brake pedals work the same way. The main adjustment for first-time EV drivers is getting used to regenerative braking (a mild resistance when you release the accelerator) and remembering to plug in at charging stops. Burswood’s team walks you through all the key functions when you pick up the vehicle.
Is the CUPRA Tavascan available at the airport?
Burswood Car Rentals is located at 16 Teddington Road, Burswood, on the route from Perth’s domestic and international airports to the CBD. We offer free pickup and delivery to Perth CBD hotels. Contact us to discuss airport pickup arrangements for the CUPRA Tavascan.
How much does it cost to charge the CUPRA Tavascan?
Public charging costs in Perth vary between providers and tariff types. Fast chargers at shopping centres typically charge by the minute or by the kilowatt-hour. For a full charge from near-flat, a rough comparison to petrol costs consistently shows EV charging to be significantly cheaper per kilometre at current Perth petrol prices. Exact charging costs depend on which network and tariff you use during your hire period.