The world is going electric — an affordable way to try EV driving in Helsinki
28 toukokuun, 2026 · Janne Siitari
Electric cars have moved from rarities to an everyday sight on Helsinki streets. According to Statistics Finland, nearly one in three new passenger cars is registered as fully electric in 2026 — and more and more people want to experience emission-free driving before committing to buying their own.
Renting an electric car is an excellent way to do this. You don’t commit to a tens-of-thousands-of-euros investment or service contracts — you just get a concrete experience of how an EV fits into your lifestyle. In this guide we explain why renting is the smart way to try EV driving, how to do it from Pasila in Helsinki, and how your electricity contract affects the real-life cost of an EV when charging at home.
Why rent an EV before you buy?
Buying an EV is a big decision. Prices range from €30,000 to €70,000, and the technology is evolving fast. The car you buy today you’ll be driving for five years or more — so the choice deserves careful, hands-on consideration.
Renting answers questions a dealer test drive doesn’t:
- Does the range fit your lifestyle? Helsinki–Tampere on a single charge, or does your routine require planning?
- Does home charging work for you? Or are you mostly relying on public chargers?
- How does regenerative braking feel on longer drives — do you get used to it?
- Is the cabin space enough for a family or hobbies?
- How much electricity does the car actually use in everyday driving?
A weekend or weekly rental gives a much more realistic picture of everyday driving than a one-hour test drive at a dealer.
Renting an EV from Pasila — Rentnow Helsinki
One of Helsinki’s best starting points for renting an EV is Pasila — a central location reachable by train, tram, bus, or car. Rentnow is located at Ratapihantie 11, 00520 Helsinki, about a 3-minute walk from the Tripla shopping centre.
Concrete benefits of the Pasila location:
- Easy to find — walking distance from Pasila train station, 3 min from Tripla
- Smooth pickup and return — no need to drive through downtown traffic
- Fully electric cars in different size classes
- Emission-free and quiet driving experience — especially suited to city driving
- Clear pricing without hidden costs — insurance, rental time and km limits visible before booking
Contact:
Phone: 0400 152 520
Email: pasila@rentnow.fi
Hours: Weekdays 9:30–17:00
Website: rentnow.fi
See the location and photos on Rentnow’s website — the page has precise directions and photos of the entrance and the surrounding area.
How much does renting an EV cost?
EV rental prices vary by model, rental period and season. Pricing is based on a daily rate, and weekly or longer rentals are typically significantly cheaper per day. You can get exact pricing directly from Rentnow’s booking system or by calling the Pasila office.
What’s included in the rental price?
- Insurance is always included in the rental — no separate vehicle insurance needed.
- 100 km / day mileage is included in the price.
- Full battery at pickup — no need to charge during your rental, but returning the car fully charged is always a nice touch.
Optional add-ons
- Unlimited kilometres for an extra fee if you’re planning longer trips.
- Excess-km charge is per-vehicle — if you occasionally drive more than 100 km/day, you can choose to pay only for the excess kilometres.
EV charging in Helsinki — what to know
A great benefit of renting an EV is that charging in the city is made easy. Helsinki has over 300 charging points, and many are free or very affordable:
- City parking garages (Forum, Kamppi, Tripla) have Type 2 chargers — often free on top of the parking fee
- Fast-charging points (DC) are available at ABC, Neste and K-petrol stations — full battery in 30–45 minutes
- Helen Lataus service integrates directly with Helen electricity customers in the Helsinki area
- Hotel garages in central Helsinki often offer overnight charging for guests
If you want to charge the rental car at home, the cost depends entirely on your electricity contract. This is one of the most important factors in EV ownership: on a spot-price contract, overnight charging often costs just €0.50–2 per 100 km, whereas a fixed-rate contract can double that.
In practice, the total cost of EV ownership has two parts: the car AND your electricity contract. Renting is a great way to test both — if you find yourself charging a lot at home, choosing the right electricity contract is just as important as choosing the car.
When does renting an EV make sense?
An EV is an ideal choice in the following situations:
- City visits — short trips during the day, returning to charge in the evening
- Weekend trips — from Pasila within range on a single charge: Turku, Tampere, Lahti
- Business driving — companies value emission-free transport and brand image
- Considering an EV purchase — try before you buy
- One-off transport needs — hospital visit, moving, furniture pickup
- Learning about charging — understand how home and fast charging work in practice
For longer trips north (Lapland, Kainuu) you can also rent an EV, but you’ll want to plan the charging route ahead — fast-charging points are sparser up north.
EVs, electricity contracts and everyday costs
If, after renting, you decide to buy your own EV, it’s worth reconsidering your electricity contract. EV annual charging is typically 2,000–4,000 kWh depending on driving distance — that nearly doubles an apartment’s annual consumption and makes a detached house’s consumption even higher.
For EV owners spot-price electricity is usually the best choice, because:
- You can schedule charging overnight, when spot prices are typically lowest
- Smart charging automatically detects the cheapest hours in many cars
- High annual consumption maximises spot’s pricing advantage over fixed contracts
In the Verrokit comparison tool you can directly try how EV-added consumption (e.g. +3,000 kWh/yr) affects your monthly bill on different contract types.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Pasila office?
Rentnow is at Ratapihantie 11, 00520 Helsinki — about a 3-minute walk from the Tripla shopping centre, walking distance from Pasila train station. Hours: weekdays 9:30–17:00.
Do I need special experience to drive an EV?
No — an EV can be driven immediately with a normal passenger car licence. Rentnow walks you through charging and special features (regenerative braking, eco mode) at pickup, so even your first EV experience is well-managed.
Can I charge at home during the rental?
Yes. Home charging from a normal household socket (Schuko) is slow but reliable — overnight the battery fills enough for normal daily driving. Home charging is typically the cheapest option, especially with a spot-price contract overnight.
What if the battery runs out mid-trip?
EVs continuously show battery state and warn you well in advance. Most models route you to the nearest charging point automatically and estimate range precisely — running out is practically impossible with normal planning.
Is renting an EV more expensive than a petrol car?
The daily rate can be slightly higher, but fuel costs are gone — and many charging points are free or very cheap. Total cost is often lower, especially for longer rentals.
What electricity contract should I consider if I buy my own EV?
For EV owners, spot-price electricity is typically the cheapest choice with high annual consumption and overnight charging. The Verrokit comparison tool shows the monthly cost of contracts with EV-added consumption.
Summary
The world is going electric — and an EV is the next everyday vehicle for more and more people. Renting is an affordable, risk-free way to try electric driving before deciding to buy. Pasila’s central location makes Rentnow’s office a natural starting point for anyone living in Helsinki.
When an EV becomes part of daily life, the total cost is shaped as much by your electricity contract as by the car itself. Spot-price electricity with overnight charging is typically the cheapest combination — compare contracts for your consumption directly in the Verrokit comparison.