The self-drive automobile rental market has had tremendous growth over the past five years and is anticipated to keep growing in the near future.
Self-driving vehicles are now a fashionable and common concept in India, particularly in the major cities. Nowadays, more and more individuals choose to rent a car rather than take taxis, trains, buses, or airlines to explore a new location. The obvious explanation for this is that no other form of transportation comes close to the increased flexibility and convenience that self-driven rental cars provide.
Because of this, the self-drive automobile rental market is about to embark on an exciting phase. According to Ken Research, the Indian automobile rental market revenue will rise at a healthy rate to reach INR 800 billion by 2019. The industry has seen spectacular growth in the last five years and is anticipated to continue on its exponential growth trajectory in the near future. This boom can be linked to the country’s economic situation having drastically changed, the rise in tourism, better roads and highways, and the recent rapid advancement of technology.
Manheer Singh Sethi, Co-Founder of Travkart, and Aditya Loomba, Joint Director of Eco Rent a Car, offer their opinions and fast guidelines for selecting a self-drive vehicle.
The alternatives are extensive and the amenities are unmatched because so many modern automobile rental firms are already taking advantage of the profitable potential throughout India. Driving aficionados must, however, take a few factors into account before selecting their own vehicle. Before making a reservation, make sure of the following:
Get the best deal
Normally, a self-drive car is rented by the hour, although fees tend to rise on the weekends! In truth, costs might vary greatly depending on whether the chosen car includes fuel or not. While the client in the without-fuel plan will pay for petrol but won’t have to worry about how many kilometres they are driving, the with-fuel option will undoubtedly be more expensive in terms of cost per kilometre. Knowing the distance you wish to travel can help you make the best choice. The without-fuel option might be your best option if you want to do a lot of driving.
What kind of car should I choose?
Several various brands of vehicles, including hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, etc., are available from self-drive firms. For those who want to experience the thrill and adventure of driving in large, fast cars, one may also choose from the categories of luxury vehicles and sports cars. For a middle-class consumer, it is wiser to make a choice based on the number of passengers, the amount of luggage, and the desired level of comfort during the trip.
In order to lower the overall cost of the trip, four adults who are planning a long trip with little luggage could preferably choose a diesel hatchback with manual transmission since a diesel car would provide them high mileage. People might choose automatic autos for comfort during traffic and congestion when travelling within cities.
Pay attention to the “Other” charges
You are doing more than just covering your rent when you purchase a self-driving car. The rental car companies also demand additional fees, such as a refundable security deposit, damage costs, and other fines. The cost of any damage is removed from the security deposit, which typically varies from INR 999 to INR 5000. The customer must make payment at the moment the car is returned if the damage claim amount exceeds the deposit.
Many businesses also impose fines for exceeding the speed limit. The fee amount and the likelihood of the user being placed on the company’s blacklist rise if they are repeat offenders. Are you curious how they might be able to tell if you are driving recklessly? These modern businesses have cutting-edge systems in place to monitor situations like speeding and abrupt braking at high speeds. Therefore, it is advised to stay below the posted speed restrictions in order to reduce your rental fees.
Check the network at the location you’ve selected
Make sure to check the network coverage of a location before choosing a self-drive automobile to travel there. After all, you would need to be continually online while exploring that city in order to keep track of surrounding locations and maintain contact in case of an emergency.
Before hiring, check the Stepney, toolset, and parts
Many of you might not have previously rented a self-drive vehicle. Even though you can be sure that the car rentals won’t make any mistakes, it’s better to err on the side of caution and perform a quick inspection of a number of the car’s components yourself. To begin with, one must remember to check that the spare tyre, Stepney jack, and other necessary items are present. After that, inspect the car’s brakes, engine, and battery as well as its overall condition to ensure a hassle-free ride.
