Pain at the pump is starting to influence how Americans choose rental cars.
With average U.S. gas prices climbing above $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, more travelers and ride-hail drivers are suddenly giving EV rentals a second look.
Rental companies like Hertz and Turo are already seeing the shift happen in real time.
And much of it appears tied to rising fuel costs triggered by ongoing instability in the Middle East.
Hertz Says EV Rental Demand Jumped 25%
According to Reuters, Hertz saw requests for EV reservations jump nearly 25% in March compared to February.
The biggest spike happened on the U.S. West Coast, where gas prices tend to be significantly higher than the national average.
This trend wasn’t driven solely by vacation travelers either.
Hertz said many of these bookings came from Uber and Lyft drivers who rent vehicles for longer periods and are trying to reduce fuel costs.
Turo Is Seeing Similar Demand
Turo reported similar growth, with EV bookings rising 11% during the final three weeks of March compared to the previous three-week period.
On March 31, when gas prices officially crossed the $4-per-gallon mark, EV bookings on Turo surged 47% compared to the same day in 2025.
That suggests many drivers are making short-term decisions to avoid painful fuel bills rather than committing to buying an EV outright.
Why Gas Prices Are Rising
Much of the recent spike has been linked to conflict in the Middle East.
Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz have created concerns over global oil supply, since roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes through the region.
Since late February, U.S. gas prices have reportedly climbed by more than a third.
That’s enough to make renters reconsider what they drive, even if only for a week.
EV Rentals Still Aren’t Perfect
While EV rentals can help reduce fuel spending, they aren’t always the obvious choice.
Charging access can still be a headache for travelers unfamiliar with local infrastructure.
Some electric rentals also remain more expensive upfront than traditional gas-powered alternatives.
Still, if fuel prices remain high, rental companies may finally see stronger returns from EV fleets that many initially struggled to justify.