MegaHertz: Hertz Will Start Renting Out Tesla Model 3 EVs
Hertz is set to add an estimated 100,000 Model 3 electric vehicles to its rental fleet.
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As the electric vehicle takeover continues its march towards inevitability, Hertz has announced that EVs are also coming to its major market rental stores by November of this year. Included in this fleet purchase is charging support at the specific Hertz locations that offer these Teslas to interested renters. In addition to Hertz choosing the entry-level Model 3 as its EV of choice, the company recently began a new ad campaign featuring Tom Brady.
"Electric vehicles are now mainstream, and we've only just begun to see rising global demand and interest," said Mark Fields, interim CEO of Hertz. If that name happens to sound familiar, he was once the CEO of Ford. "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," Fields added.
Electricity Hertz
Hertz's plan for electrification includes the purchase of an estimated 100,000 Tesla Model 3 sedans. The plan also includes a timeline of "early November through the end of the year" to gather the entire fleet and disperse these vehicles at Hertz locations in major markets in the United States, as well as select cities across Europe.
Hertz claims this big purchase will result in EVs making up over 20 percent of its total fleet of vehicles. The vehicles will include the necessary chargers needed to work with Hertz's plans to employ a "combination of Level 2 (AC chargers) and DC fast charging in approximately 65 markets by the end of 2022 and more than 100 markets by the end of 2023." Of course, that comes with a caveat thanks to the supply chain crisis (not to mention Tesla's notorious inability to meet deadlines).
Education of the Non-EV Masses
Hertz's Model 3 renters will get free charging at Tesla network chargers until February 1, 2022, though, that freebie doesn't include idle time charges. Unfortunately, if renters use a non-Tesla charger, they must pay for its usage and any idle time fees associated with it. To avoid this, a 120-volt charger is included with the Hertz-backed Model 3s, as is an SAE J1772 adapter, which is part of the "Mobile Connector Kit." While a 120-volt charger will be slower to charge a Model 3 than one of Tesla's superchargers, it does allow for overnight charging at one's destination.
Encouraging Non-EV People To Rent EV
Additionally, new ads featuring seven-time Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady are set to launch as part of the company's "Hertz, Let's Go!" campaign. The two new ads, known as "Speed" and "Plugged In", are already airing. Each features humorous takes with Brady renting, charging, and using a Model 3.
Photos courtesy of Hertz
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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