Winter vs. Summer EV Rentals in Reno and Lake Tahoe: What Gear Comes With Your Car
Hi, I'm Solomon, the host behind Best EV Rentals in Reno and Lake Tahoe. Our fleet is a 2024 Rivian R1S, a 2026 Rivian R1S, a 2022 Rivian R1T and a 2021 Tesla Model Y. Guests ask me all the time what comes with the car, and the answer depends a lot on the season. Here's the quick rundown.
Before You Go: Check Road Conditions First
Winter weather in the Sierra Nevada can change quickly, sometimes within the hour, and conditions shift fast as you climb in elevation. Use your best judgment and stay safe. Check before you go, especially before or during a storm or when one is in the forecast. Before any winter drive, check NV 511 (https://www.nvroads.com) and Caltrans QuickMap (https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov) for closures, chain controls and travel advisories. Follow official recommendations for access, stay off closed roads, and if a route is closed or conditions look risky, wait for the plows and stay safe. It's never worth the risk.
Winter: Snow-Rated Tires and AWD/4WD
Tahoe winters are beautiful, and the roads up to the lake can change fast. In winter, our vehicles come with 3-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) rated snow tires. Every vehicle in the fleet also has four-wheel or all-wheel drive. Each car also comes with a snow brush and a shovel for the winter season.
Put those together and you've got a confident setup for ski weekends, snowy lake-town dinners and mountain-pass drives on paved roads.
Chain Controls: Always Follow the Signs
Even with snow-rated tires and AWD/4WD, please always follow Caltrans and NDOT chain control instructions. Chain controls are common on the main routes between Reno and Tahoe during storms, and what's allowed can change by the hour. Follow what the posted signs and the chain control crews tell you, and if a road is closed or conditions look rough, it's always fine to wait it out. Message me through Turo anytime if you're unsure.
Road Condition Links
A quick check before you leave can save you a lot of time:
Nevada: NV 511 at https://www.nvroads.com for road conditions and closures.
California: Caltrans QuickMap at https://quickmap.dot.ca.gov and Caltrans road info at https://roads.dot.ca.gov.
Summer: Room for the Whole Adventure
Summer around Tahoe means beach days, paddling, bike rides and family road trips. That's when guests start asking about extra gear, and I'm happy to help.
Gear by Vehicle and Season (All on Request)
Everything below is available on request, so just ask before your trip.
Rivian R1S (2024 and 2026) and Rivian R1T (2022)
Winter: crossbars and a Yakima ski rack for your skis or snowboards
Summer: crossbars, a Yakima SUP/board rack for paddleboards, and a Thule 2-bike hitch rack
Year-round: car seats for traveling with little ones
Tesla Model Y (2021)
Winter: crossbars and a Yakima ski rack
Summer: crossbars for your summer cargo
Year-round: car seats for traveling with little ones
The seasons are just a guide. If you want the bike rack for a sunny spring weekend or a car seat for a ski trip, just ask.
How to Request Gear
The key is to ask before your trip. Here's the easiest way:
Check the Turo add-ons on the listing when you book.
Send me a message in Turo before your trip with what you need, like a car seat, crossbars, the ski rack, the SUP/board rack or the bike rack.
I'll confirm what's available for your dates in Turo messages.
Asking ahead gives me time to get everything set up so it's ready when you pick up the car. All pickup details come through your Turo trip and messages after you book.
One Rule for Every Season: Paved Roads Only
Whatever the season, please keep the vehicles on paved roads. Turo policy doesn't allow off-roading, so no dirt roads, trails or beaches with the car. The good news is that the best views around Reno and Lake Tahoe are right off paved highways and lake roads, so you won't miss a thing.
Book on Turo
Whether you're chasing fresh powder or a summer lake day, we'd love to host you. Pick the R1S, R1T or Model Y that fits your trip, add what you need, and send me a message about any gear requests.
Book your Reno–Tahoe EV with Best EV Rentals on Turo today.
Rivian, Tesla, Yakima and Thule are trademarks of their respective owners. Best EV Rentals is an independent Turo host and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of these companies.
