We don't rent the Tesla. Here's what we'd tell you.

EV rentals require charging infrastructure on our end — we have to ensure the car is charged before every pickup and manage the charging logistics during the trip. East Tennessee's public charging network is improving but is not yet dense enough to make the rental experience seamless for a guest who picks up at TYS and immediately drives 65 miles to Tail of the Dragon. We'd rather not rent a car that creates a charging-anxiety experience.

The fleet evolves seasonally. EVs are on the horizon when the infrastructure and the right vehicle match up. Until then, we'll tell you honestly that we don't have one rather than pretend a Civic is a Tesla.

Turo is the right answer. There are private Tesla Model 3 and Model Y hosts in Knoxville, Maryville, and the surrounding area with existing listings and reviews. The booking process is straightforward and you'll have the EV experience you're looking for. We'd rather you get the car you need from the right source than book something that doesn't serve the trip.

Alternatively, the national chains at TYS (Enterprise, Hertz) sometimes carry EVs in their fleet — call ahead to check availability, since EV inventory at small airports is inconsistent. There are also Tesla Superchargers in Alcoa (near TYS), Knoxville, and Gatlinburg to support EV trips in the region.

If what you're actually after is something more interesting than a rental sedan — better tech, better drive, better story — our fleet might be more interesting than a Model 3 anyway. The WRX STI is turbocharged AWD with a 6-speed manual. The BRZ is a 2,800-lb balanced sports car that makes a Model 3 feel like a sofa. The MR2 is a 1994 mid-engine turbo that turns heads everywhere it goes.

The Civic Sport Touring is the closest to a Model 3 in practical terms — fully modern, tech-loaded, comfortable, and anonymous in the way a Tesla is also anonymous for practical trips. Both are the kind of car you forget you're driving on the interstate.