⚡
For Amped Customers
You've got the rental in your hands. Here's how to charge it, where to go, and what to do when something goes wrong.
Start Here — You're Already at 100%
“The car was in excellent condition and the battery was good no issues at all. He was super communicative and made the whole process easy.” — Elysa, May 2026 · Turo
Every Amped Auto Rentals EV arrives at your location with a 100% state of charge. Most weekend and business trips across South Florida don't require any charging at all. You'll only need to charge if you're:
- Driving more than 250–300 miles before return
- Taking a round trip to the Florida Keys or Palm Beach
- Doing heavy rideshare or delivery work
- Returning below 80% battery — see our Terms of Service
How to charge an Amped EV rental in South Florida
Your Amped rental arrives fully charged. To charge during your rental: find a station using PlugShare or the Tesla app, park and plug in, start the session, and unplug at 80 percent. Tesla rentals charge automatically on Amped's Tesla account — we invoice at the end of your rental. Equinox EV customers use the GM NACS Adapter in the trunk for Tesla Superchargers and pay Tesla directly with their own account.
How to Charge — 4 Steps That Work Everywhere
-
Find a charger
Open PlugShare, ChargePoint, or the Tesla app on your phone. Filter for fast chargers on longer trips, Level 2 for overnight stops, or "Free Only" to pay nothing. Most South Florida chargers are within 2–5 miles of each other.
-
Park and plug in
Pull into an open stall. For Teslas, press the button on the Supercharger handle — the port opens automatically. For the Equinox EV, press the charge port button on the driver-side door. Connect the cable firmly until it clicks.
-
Start the session
Tesla Superchargers start automatically — the Amped account is linked, no card or app needed. For Electrify America, EVgo, or ChargePoint: tap a contactless credit card or start the session in the network app. Equinox EV customers using Superchargers must use the Tesla app with their own credit card.
-
Unplug at 80%
Charging slows dramatically after 80%. For road trips, unplug at 80% and drive to the next stop — you'll save 20–30 minutes per stop. Press the release button on the cable and return it to the holster.
Pickup & drop-off meeting point
For rentals without door-to-door delivery, vehicle exchange takes place at the Wawa at 106 S State Rd 7, Hollywood, FL 33023. Meeting point only — not an Amped office. Several Wawa locations across South Florida host Tesla Superchargers, so you can top up right before or after your rental. For all pickup, drop-off, or reservation questions: (786) 981-1177.
How do you open and start an electric rental car?
There is no key to turn and, on the Teslas, no key at all. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y: your phone is the key. Download the Tesla app, accept the digital key invite we send before delivery, and leave Bluetooth and Location switched on. Walk up, press the door handle, sit down, press the brake and select drive — there is no start button. A backup key card lives in the glove box; tap it on the pillar behind the driver’s door if your phone dies. Chevrolet Equinox EV: conventional key fob, conventional start button, nothing unusual.
Every delivery includes a walkthrough before we hand the car over. If something is not obvious at the kerb, that is the moment to ask — or call (786) 981-1177, which is answered 24/7 during a rental.
What is regenerative braking and will it feel strange?
Yes, for about ten minutes. Lift off the accelerator in an EV and the car slows itself noticeably, recovering energy back into the battery instead of wasting it as heat in the brake pads. In stop-start traffic on the Palmetto or crossing the causeways you will barely touch the brake pedal — this is often called one-pedal driving. It is disconcerting for the first few junctions and then most people prefer it. Both the Teslas and the Equinox EV let you soften the effect in the settings if you would rather it felt like a normal car.
What happens if a rental EV runs out of charge?
It is far harder to do than people expect. The car warns you repeatedly, the navigation reroutes you to the nearest charger automatically, and both the Teslas and the Equinox hold a reserve below the displayed zero. If you do stop, call (786) 981-1177 — we are local and we come out. An EV cannot be jump-started or refuelled from a can; it needs a flatbed to a charger, which is why calling early matters more than it would in a gas car. In practice, with a car delivered at 100% and a 272–330 mile range, this is close to a theoretical problem for a South Florida trip.
How Do You Charge a Tesla or an Equinox EV Rental?
“Very convenient to have the Tesla converter in the car so you can go to any Tesla station. You may have to move the car a certain way cause it doesn’t reach on a normal side of Tesla charges on other than that the car is amazing. Still give it five stars very responsive anytime I called or text the Host” — Julian, May 2026 · Turo · Chevrolet Equinox EV
Tesla Model Y & Model 3
Your phone is the key. Download the Tesla app, accept the digital key invite Amped sends before delivery, and enable Bluetooth and Location permissions. A backup key card is in the glove box.
Supercharging is automatic. Amped's Tesla account is already linked. Just plug in — we track every session and invoice at the end of your rental. Don't add a credit card to the Tesla app — you don't need to.
Finding a Supercharger: Tap the lightning bolt on the touchscreen; the car routes automatically to the nearest available stall.
Model Y details → · Model 3 details →
Chevrolet Equinox EV RS
Check the trunk — two accessories are included: a Dual Level Charge Cord (works at 120V and 240V outlets) and a GM NACS Adapter (unlocks 25,000+ Tesla Superchargers).
To use Tesla Superchargers: Install the Tesla app, create your own Tesla account, add your credit card. Tesla bills you directly for these sessions — not Amped. Confirm non-Tesla compatibility in the Tesla app before driving to a specific site.
At CCS fast chargers: Tap a contactless credit card at the reader or start the session in the Electrify America, EVgo, or ChargePoint app. Charges at up to 150 kW — ~70 miles of range per 10 minutes.
Equinox EV details →
The 6 Apps to Install Before You Drive
PlugShare
Universal charger map with real-time availability and a FREE filter. Start here — it covers every network.
plugshare.com →
Tesla App
Required for Tesla rentals (digital phone key). Essential for Equinox drivers who want to use Superchargers.
tesla.com/support/tesla-app →
ChargePoint
North America's largest network. 300+ South Florida sites at hotels, malls, and municipal garages.
chargepoint.com →
Electrify America
Best for Equinox EV fast charging. Up to 350 kW CCS at Miami-Dade and Broward Walmart sites.
electrifyamerica.com →
EVgo
DC fast charging network. Tap-to-pay ($2.99 session fee) or subscribe for discounted rates on longer rentals.
evgo.com →
ParkMobile
Required for City of Fort Lauderdale chargers (Las Olas, Riverwalk, Arts & Science, Beach Park). Not optional.
parkmobile.io →
Planning a road trip? Add A Better Route Planner (ABRP) — it calculates optimal charging stops based on your vehicle, weather, and speed. Essential for trips over 150 miles.
Keep this in your pocket
Download the 2-page printable Quick Reference — chargers, prices, apps, hotlines, and troubleshooting in one PDF.
📥 Download PDF
Troubleshooting
Charger won't start?
Try these in order before calling anyone:
- Unplug and re-plug firmly — most failures are a cable that didn't click in fully
- Confirm the car is in Park and doors are closed
- Refresh the charging network app
- Try a different stall — single failed pedestals at otherwise-working sites are common
- Try a different payment method (app vs. tap-to-pay vs. RFID)
- Call the network's support line (numbers on the PDF)
- Move to the next nearest station — PlugShare shows real-time availability
Cable won't release?
- Tesla: Tap "Open Charge Port" on the touchscreen, or long-press the trunk button on the key fob
- Equinox: Press the charge port button on the driver-side door or touchscreen
- If the car is asleep: open a door or press the brake pedal first, then try again
Charging is slow
Usually not a problem — it's usually physics. Charging tapers sharply after 80%; hot batteries after highway driving slow for thermal protection; some hotel Level 2 units are capped at 3–6 kW. In Florida heat, charging early morning or after sunset gets you faster speeds. See our full FAQ for more.
Stranded or stuck?
Call Amped first: (786) 981-1177. We coordinate with Tesla Roadside, Chevy assistance, or tow services depending on the situation. Don't attempt repairs on damaged chargers — unplug and move to a different station.
