ICRS Closing Keynote: Car Rental and the EV Revolution: When, Where, and How?
Hertz to Buy 100k Teslas
In the blink of an eye, car rental is now the largest fleet buyer of electric vehicles. Tesla Model 3 rentals to begin in November.

Hertz is planning new EV charging infrastructure across the company's global operations, including 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. In total, customers will have access to 3,000 Tesla supercharging stations throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Photo: Hertz
In the blink of an eye, car rental is now the largest fleet buyer of electric vehicles — and the initiative is underway right now.
Hertz announced today it has placed an initial order of 100,000 Teslas “by the end of 2022,” according to a Hertz news release. With this order, EVs will comprise more than 20% of Hertz’s global fleet.
Beginning in early November and expanding through year end, Hertz customers can rent a Tesla Model 3 at Hertz airport and neighborhood locations in U.S. major markets and select cities in Europe.
Hertz is also planning new EV charging infrastructure across the company's global operations. The rental vehicles will 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, Hertz said. In total, customers will have access to 3,000 Tesla supercharging stations throughout the U.S. and Europe.
"Electric vehicles are now mainstream, and we've only just begun to see rising global demand and interest," said Hertz interim CEO Mark Fields. "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."
The Hertz EV initiative will come with a differentiated rental experience for the Tesla EVs, including digitized guidance to educate customers about the electric vehicle. An expedited EV rental booking process through the Hertz mobile app is coming soon.

To promote its EV rentals, Hertz is embarking on a new new "Hertz, Let's Go!" ad campaign with NFL star Tom Brady, which begin airing Oct. 25.
Photo courtesy of Hertz
In early trading, shares of Tesla Inc. climbed toward a new record Monday. Meanwhile, shares of Hertz, still trading as HTZZ on the over-the-counter market, shot up more than 11%, on track for the highest close since the company emerged from bankruptcy on June 30.
Hertz cautioned that “(T)hese ambitions could be affected by factors outside of Hertz's control, such as semiconductor chip shortages or other constraints.”
In addition, Hertz has contracted seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady for commercials to promote Hertz’s EV initiative. Two new ads begin with Brady begin today.
Hertz also recently filed a statement with the SEC for its common stock in preparation of listing on the NASDAQ.
Originally posted on Auto Rental News
More Green Fleet

Inspiration Mobility Acquires Key Electrada Assets
Inspiration Mobility Group has acquired select assets of Electrada, adding the fleet electrification provider's team, technology, and charging infrastructure development capabilities to its energy management business.
Read More →
Turning Connected Vehicle Data Into Decisions That Matter
Fleet leaders have more data than ever, but turning that data into clear, actionable decisions remains a challenge. This white paper shows how leading organizations are using connected vehicle data to improve safety, reduce costs, and optimize fleet performance. Learn how to turn insight into action across your fleet.
Read More →Are You Tracking Your Fleet's True Total Cost of Ownership?
Bobit Business Media surveyed 190 fleet professionals and found that while most fleets are tracking costs, fragmented systems and data gaps are keeping true TCO visibility out of reach. With rising pressure to control spend in an increasingly volatile environment, the gap between what fleets think they know and what the data actually shows is wider than you might expect. See how your peers are managing costs today and where the industry still has room to improve.
Read More →
Hybrids: Electrification Without the Challenges
For fleet managers, fuel is one of the biggest line items in the budget — and it's one hybrids can shrink without changing how your people work. Download the eBook to see the numbers, understand the technology, and get a step-by-step guide to making the switch.
Read More →
Startup ZMD Motors Developing Electric Conversion for Ram 5500 Work Trucks
Detroit-based company says it has begun early development of a system to convert internal combustion Ram 5500 chassis-cab trucks to electric power.
Read More →
U.S. EV Adoption Is Climbing, but Commercial and Passenger Markets Diverge
New industry group data revealed that light-duty electric vehicle sales are hitting record market share and volumes, while commercial EV volume dipped. What’s driving the fluctuations?
Read More →
How To Upfit Electric Work Trucks and Vans
The biggest challenge lies in balancing additional equipment and accessories with EV battery capacity and range.
Read More →
How Fleets Can Adjust Approaches To EV Adoption
With the expiration of federal incentives, EV success now hinges less on government policy and more on discounts, battery tech progress, increased range, and broader infrastructure.
Read More →
Despite World Troubles, Forward Thinking Guides Fleets
Fleet operators shared their challenges during an annual conference that embraced the latest advances across all aspects of running private- and public-sector vehicles.
Read More →
GM Energy Details Partnerships and Targets for Public Charging Build-Out
EVgo, Pilot, ChargePoint and IONNA named; goal is 35k GM-invested DC stalls by 2030, with customer-experience upgrades at sites.
Read More →