Curiosities about Electric Vehicles with Zafer Salman, CEO of RentiCar

Electric vehicles (EVs) have been rapidly gaining popularity in Turkey and around the world in recent years. So what are the biggest factors behind this growth? What are the common misconceptions about electric vehicles? Zafer Bülent Salman, CEO of RentiCar, answered the most curious questions about electric vehicles.

What is the biggest driving force behind the spread of electric vehicles?

The most important reason for the rapid spread of electric vehicles is their sustainability and environmental friendliness. Reducing carbon emissions, improving urban air quality and reducing dependence on fossil fuels provide great advantages. In addition, low energy costs and decreasing battery costs thanks to advancing technology are also important factors accelerating this growth.

What are the most common misconceptions about electric vehicles?

One of the most common misconceptions about electric vehicles is range anxiety. Many people think that electric vehicles cannot travel long distances. However, new generation electric vehicles can offer a range of up to 400-500 km. Another misconception is that charging time is long. Thanks to fast charging stations, batteries can be charged in a much shorter time.

What is the Charging Station Infrastructure in Turkey? Is it Possible to Use Electric Vehicles on Long Roads?

Charging infrastructure in Turkey has improved significantly in recent years. As of January 2025, the total number of charging points (sockets) in the country is close to 27,000. This number is rising rapidly with the increasing use of electric vehicles. The number of fast charging stations is increasing, especially in big cities and on main transportation lines.
However, planning is still needed when traveling between cities. AC (slow) charging points have exceeded 16,000, while DC (fast) charging points have reached 10,800. This shows that the availability of fast charging stations is increasing, especially on long journeys. While it is possible to travel by electric vehicle from Istanbul to Izmir or Ankara, it is worthwhile to check the locations of charging stations along the route in advance.
This growth trend shows that Turkey's EV ecosystem continues to evolve and the charging infrastructure will further strengthen in the coming years.

What are the Advantages of Electric Vehicle Use for Companies?

For companies, the use of electric vehicles is important both in terms of cost advantage and sustainability. Reduced fuel costs, lower maintenance costs and the creation of an environmentally friendly image provide companies with a competitive advantage.

What Do You Think About Battery Life and Used Electric Vehicles?

Electric vehicle batteries have an average lifespan of 8-10 years or 160,000 kilometers. This means many years of trouble-free use for many users. The second-hand electric vehicle market is also growing rapidly. As long as the correct battery tests are carried out, second-hand electric vehicles can be safely preferred.

What awaits us in the electric car rental sector in the future?

The electric vehicle rental sector will offer more diversity and flexibility in the future. Different options will increase from short-term to long-term rentals. In addition, the further development of charging infrastructure will make the use of rental electric vehicles more attractive. As RentiCar, we closely follow the innovations in this field.
What would you recommend to customers who want to rent an electric vehicle but are hesitant?
Our advice to customers who want to experience electric vehicles but are hesitant is to start with short-term rentals. This way, they can relieve their worries by experiencing the charging time, range and driving experience in person.

As RentiCar, what kind of service do you offer to those who want to rent an electric car?

At RentiCar , we offer our customers the opportunity to rent the latest and reliable electric vehicles. While it is easy to book through our website, we make renting an electric car effortless with roadside assistance and flexible rental options. We also plan special campaigns and discounts on electric car rentals to promote environmentally friendly transportation.
In conclusion, electric vehicles are the future of sustainable transportation and we at RentiCar are proud to be a part of that future. If you want to discover the electric vehicle experience, don't forget to check out the deals offered by RentiCar!