As consumer interest in electric vehicles skyrockets, Estero-based Hertz on Monday announced a significant investment to offer the largest EV rental fleet in North America and one of the largest in the world. This includes an initial order of 100,000 Teslas by the end of 2022 and new EV charging infrastructure across the company’s global operations.
Beginning in early November and expanding through the end of the year, customers will be able to rent a Tesla Model 3 at Hertz locations in airports and local communities in major U.S. 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 have access to 3,000 Tesla supercharging stations in 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 about 65 markets by the end of 2022 and more than 100 markets by the end of 2023, the company reports.
To spread the word about its investment in EV rentals, Hertz is teaming up with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady for a new “Hertz, Let’s Go!” media campaign to showcase how it is making EV rentals fast, seamless and more accessible. Two new ads – “Plugged In” and “Speed” – show Brady renting, recharging and using an EV at a Hertz airport location. The spots use humor and Brady’s signature “Let’s Go” game-day rallying cry.
Hertz was the first U.S. car rental company to introduce EVs to its rental fleet in 2011 and the first to implement a wireless charging system for electric vehicles. The Hertz Corp., a subsidiary of Hertz Global Holdings Inc., operates the Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty vehicle rental brands throughout North America.
Earlier this month, just a few months after restructuring from bankruptcy this summer, Hertz named an interim CEO—Mark Fields, former president and CEO of Ford Motor Co. Last week, the company filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding a proposed public offering of its common stock. In connection with the offering, Hertz intends to apply this quarter to list its common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol HTZ.
