Car rental company Europcar Mobility Group UK (Europcar) has formed an alliance with Octopus Electroverse, a consumer-focused public electric vehicle (EV) charging network.

The partnership introduces a charging solution specifically tailored for Europcar’s expanding EV rental clientele.

Europcar said this initiative marks a pioneering step in the rental industry, aimed at simplifying and enhancing the EV driving experience for renters.

By addressing common challenges associated with EV usage, particularly the concerns around charging, the partnership seeks to boost confidence among consumers.

Europcar Mobility Group UK senior consumer marketing manager Sarah Clarke said: “We are excited to be the first rental provider to partner with Octopus for convenient EV charging and route planning. This is about making the switch to electric as seamless as possible. By giving access to a single charging platform that covers the majority of the UK network, we remove the need for multiple apps and logins.

“Drivers can plan their journey, find the right charger and manage payments all in one place. It will help make charging a rental EV quicker and simpler as it does not require drivers to sign up with every charging provider they need to use on a journey.”

Octopus Electroverse director Matt Davies said: “With the EV rollout accelerating at racing speed across the UK, charging on the go should be a breeze. Whether you are a long-time EV lover or renting an EV for the first time, we want to give every driver the confidence to make the switch.

“Partnering with Europcar means we can put more people behind the wheel of an EV and show them just how easy going electric can be.”

Customers renting electric cars or vans from Europcar can now access more than a million public charging points across the UK and Europe, facilitated by the Octopus Electroverse app.

The app is integrated into Europcar’s digital EV Guide, a resource designed to assist EV renters, making the process of locating and initiating a charge straightforward, regardless of their familiarity with EVs.

Europcar said the Electroverse app eliminates the complexity of EV charging, offering users a streamlined experience without the need for multiple apps or accounts.

Its feature is especially beneficial for rental customers, as it allows them to locate chargers, plan routes in real-time, and initiate charging through the app or an RFID card.

App users will also benefit from various advantages, such as discounted charging rates and seamless payment processes.

With the addition of more than 500 new chargers daily, the network includes brands such as IONITY, Osprey, and Instavolt.

Recently, Electroverse also joined forces with Visa to introduce the Business Payments Card in the UK.

The card is designed to simplify fleet payments and tracking, covering expenses such as EV charging, tolls, and meals.

Fleet managers can utilise this card to set spending limits and monitor expenses via a dashboard, ensuring efficient and secure operations.