Renting a Tesla at Carrefour, a really good deal? (video)

Weekend, holidays or just a long-term test before deciding to buy permanently, Carrefour Rentals offers Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

The commercial argument is quite tempting: rent a Tesla Model 3 for 79 euros per day. Tesla or not, this is a very competitive rate for a premium sedan, which moreover doesn’t need to run on gasoline. This naturally adds costs. But the offer comes with some asterisks that need to be clarified, or you might end up getting ripped off!

WHICH TESLA MODELS ARE AVAILABLE?

The two most popular models from Tesla are available – Model 3 and Model Y – but only in a selection of cities (where multiple rental agencies may be located!) spread across France. 30 cities for the Model Y and 61 cities for the Model 3. This list is available and regularly updated here.

WHO CAN RENT A TESLA FROM CARREFOUR?

The renter must be over 21 years old and hold a valid B driver’s license for more than three (3) years.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO RENT A VEHICLE FROM ONE STORE AND RETURN IT TO ANOTHER?

No, Carrefour Rental does not offer this option. Vehicles must be returned to the store where they were rented.

CAN I CANCEL A RESERVATION?

Cancellation is free up to 72 hours before the start of the rental. After this period, a deposit of 50 euros (charged at the time of booking) will not be refunded. This also means that a reservation made less than 3 days before the start of the contract will incur a penalty of 50 euros.

IN WHICH FOREIGN COUNTRIES CAN I TRAVEL WITH MY RESERVATION?

List of foreign countries where vehicle circulation is permitted: Germany, Austria, Benelux, Denmark, Spain, Finland, Metropolitan France and Corsica, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I NEED TO PROVIDE ON THE DAY OF RENTAL?

If you are an individual, don’t forget to bring the following documents in the NAME OF THE MAIN DRIVER:

A valid driver’s license, including that of any additional driver,
A valid identity document,
A security deposit, which depends on the accepted payment method(s) by the store (between 1000 and 2000 euros depending on the models!).

IS THE PROMISE OF 79 EUROS / DAY TRUE FOR A MODEL 3?

If we are not mistaken, we have never found an available date with such a rate. The price has always hovered between 94 and 110 euros per day for a day-long rental of a Model 3. However, this rate is “structured” at 686 euros per week (7 days) of reservation, whether in Paris, Nantes, or Bourg-en-Bresse. That amounts to 98 euros per day.

IS THE PROMISE OF 99 EUROS / DAY TRUE FOR A MODEL Y?

Once again, the promise is very eye-catching, but finding an available unit in France is already difficult. Our numerous searches have all failed. Bad luck!

WHAT IS THE INCLUDED MILEAGE?

Ouch, this is where it hurts. The daily mileage limit is 150 km. Beyond that, it will cost you 0.50 euro per km, which can quickly blow up your bill.

Furthermore, this offer is misleading because for a 7-day reservation, the mileage limit is 800 km, not 1050 km (7×150), or 114 km per day. Ridiculous. If you drive exactly 150 km daily, the penalty will be 125 euros. And so on. It’s impossible to consider long distances for holidays or visiting someone more than 300 km away, including return and local travel…

HOW DO I CHARGE THE VEHICLE?

Carrefour specifies that Teslas are rented with a free access card to the Tesla charging network. A good point… so you’ll need to use it.

Access to Tesla charging stations is a valuable benefit: for a weekly distance of 800 kilometers, the savings are about 100 euros compared to a comparable internal combustion vehicle consuming around 7 liters of gasoline per 100 km. Not insignificant in your calculation.

WHAT ARE THE CHARGING PENALTIES?

At the start of your rental, the battery charge level is recorded. Upon return, any missing kWh will be billed at 0.60 euro per kWh! At EDF, the current rate is 0.22 euro per kWh… If you leave with a full charge, which is often the case since cars recharge while waiting for customers, you’ll be guaranteed to return with less charge… or you’ll have to wait a very long time at a station, as the last % of battery recharge takes a very long time!

WHAT IF I SELL THE TESLA WITH MORE CHARGE?

Carrefour plays along and will apply a “Bonus Electric” of 0.30 euro per additional kWh… issued as a credit for your next rental. Not silly at all!

WHAT OTHER PENALTIES ARE PLANNED?

– In case of return delay over 30 minutes, a penalty of up to 130 euros may be charged.

– If the vehicle is returned in a heavily soiled state, a penalty of 50 euros will be applied for interior cleaning and/or 50 euros for external cleaning. But this is quite normal.

That’s all. Safe travels!