Hertz moves to electrify rental fleet with 100,000 Teslas on order

Vehicle rental firm Hertz will introduce 100,000 Tesla’s to its fleet by the end of next year, along with its own EV charging network.

The new fleet will be the largest EV rental fleet in North America, according to Hertz, with the move coming just four months after it recovered from bankruptcy.

Beginning in early November and expanding through year end, customers will be able to rent a Tesla Model 3 at Hertz airport and neighborhood locations in U.S. major markets and select cities in Europe.

Hertz also is installing thousands of chargers throughout its location network. Customers who rent a Tesla Model 3 will also have access to 3,000 Tesla supercharging stations throughout the U.S. and Europe.

With the current order, EVs will comprise more than 20 percent of Hertz global fleet and is expected to be supported by a combination of Level 2 and DC fast charging in approximately 65 markets by the end of 2022 and more than 100 markets by the end of 2023. However, Hertz said these ambitions could be affected by factors outside of Hertz’s control, such as semiconductor chip shortages or other constraints.

Hertz interim CEO, Mark Fields, said: “Electric vehicles are now mainstream, and we’ve only just begun to see rising global demand and interest. The new Hertz is going to lead the way as a mobility company, starting with the largest EV rental fleet in North America and a commitment to grow our EV fleet and provide the best rental and recharging experience for leisure and business customers around the world.”

To spread the word about its EV rental initiative, Hertz is partnering with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady for a new “Hertz, Let’s Go!” campaign.

Brady said: “Hertz is changing the game when it comes to the future of mobility and has come through for me time and time again. Although the company has been around for over 100 years, their constant evolution, especially now, is something that is amazing to be a part of.

“I’ve been driving an EV for years and knowing Hertz is leading the way with their electric fleet speaks to how the world is changing and the way companies are approaching being environmentally and socially conscious. I’ve always loved how easy and convenient Hertz makes it for me when I’m traveling to my favorite places like New York, LA and Tampa and can’t wait to see what they continue to have in store.”