Hertz and General Motors hand in hand for this operation, on an unprecedented scale. Indeed, the American rental company plans, after having ordered 65,000 Polestar models, then 100,000 Tesla, to acquire from the national manufacturer 175,000 examples of electric vehicles, over a period of five years. Yes, 175,000, no less.
That says a lot about Hertz’s intentions. Clearly, he imagines an electric future. Thus, it wants a quarter of its rental fleet to be made up of electric vehicles by the end of 2024.
And the firm declares that over the period 2022/2027, its customers should travel around 8 billion kilometers driving these electric cars, avoiding the emission of 3.2 million tonnes of CO2, compared to the emissions of 100% thermal cars, which would travel the same distance.
The first deliveries of GM models, the manufacturer which plans to produce 1 million EVs per year from 2023, will begin in the first quarter of 2023. These will initially be Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV models. But the lessor will not be satisfied with compact models, he will also be able to choose sedans, vans and of course, pick-ups, which Americans are fond of. To dig into the Chevrolet brands therefore, but also Cadillac, Buick, GMC and BrightDrop, according to the joint press release published on September 20.
“It’s exciting that two iconic American companies, which have shaped the evolution of mobility for more than a century, are working together to redefine the future of mobility in the 21st century,” said Stephen Scherr, CEO of Hertz. “We are thrilled to partner with this initiative, which will significantly expand our electric vehicle offering to customers, including leisure and business travelers, rideshare drivers and corporations.”
“Our work with GM is a huge step forward in reducing emissions and adopting EVs that will help create thousands of new EV customers for GM,” said Mary Barra, CEO of GM. Yes, not crazy Mary Barra, who of course finds interest and outlets in it, as was the case for Tesla when ordering the 100,000 Model 3s.
And in France ?
This is therefore happening in the United States, Hertz’s essential market. But the US rental company is also present on European and French soil. So what about us?
If this order of EV of GM origin does not concern us, the rental company’s fleet in France, as well as that of all the other brands, will also necessarily be expanded in electric models. Indeed, since January 1, 2022, the so-called LOM law (Mobility Orientation Law) requires rental companies to renew 10% of their fleet with electric models. And it’s not over, since this proportion will rise to 20% on January 1, 2024, 35% on January 1, 2027, and finally 50% in 2030. The climate and resilience law of August 2021 even speaks of 70% for this same deadline.
So no, you won’t cut it, your rental cars for holidays (or other needs) will soon be EVs, whether you like it or not, in the USA or here… And a question (a little off topic here, we admit it…) that comes to us. Normally, we return a rental car with a full tank, which is done in less than 5 minutes with a thermal car. But that can take hours with an EV… For example, the general rental conditions of an EV at Hertz mention that you have to return the vehicle with the same level of charge as when you handed over the keys (and that this level is guaranteed at 75% minimum). And that in the opposite case, the recharge will be invoiced. But at what price per kWh? Anyway, that’s another discussion. But this will involve taking new habits, especially for day rentals, when you drive until the return deadline…
