Hertz Expands Its Electric Vehicle Rental Fleet: What It Means for Drivers

Hertz Goes Electric: Scaling Up the Fleet

It’s not every day you see one of America’s most recognizable rental car brands shifting gears this decisively. Hertz, a name practically synonymous with airport terminals and family road trips, has been making headlines with its ongoing expansion into electric vehicles (EVs). This push, first signaled by their headline-grabbing 2021 deal to purchase 100,000 Teslas, is picking up speed in 2024. The company now claims one of the largest EV rental fleets in North America, and the implications for both travelers and the broader automotive market are worth a closer look.

Charging Up: What’s Actually in Hertz’s EV Fleet?

Hertz’s current electric lineup is led by models from Tesla including the Model 3 and Model Y alongside offerings from Polestar (Polestar 2) and GM’s Chevrolet Bolt EV. The company has also announced plans to bring in more vehicles from Kia and Hyundai, though exact models and delivery timelines have yet to be fully confirmed. As of early 2024, Hertz reports more than 50,000 EVs in its global fleet, though the precise breakdown by model isn’t publicly available.

The sensory experience of stepping into a Hertz-rented Tesla at SFO is subtly different from that of a gas-powered Camry. There’s an immediate hush as you press the accelerator a faint whir replaces engine growl. Even the steering feels lighter, more direct. For those used to traditional rentals, it’s a shift that’s both novel and quietly satisfying.

On the Road: Performance Meets Practicality

When it comes to performance, these EVs hold their own. The Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus delivers 0-60 mph in just over five seconds quicker than many midsize sedans in Hertz's traditional lineup. The Polestar 2 brings European refinement and a solid 233-mile EPA-estimated range (2023 model). Chevrolet’s Bolt EV offers up to 259 miles on a full charge (EPA estimate), making it a practical option for city trips or short getaways. Charging time varies: Teslas benefit from Supercharger access, while other brands rely on networks like Electrify America or ChargePoint.

I’ve noticed renters new to EVs sometimes express mild anxiety about charging especially outside urban centers where public fast chargers can be scarce or occupied. Hertz addresses this with its own charging partnerships and mobile app integrations, but infrastructure gaps remain glaring in less populated regions. A quick mental calculation of miles-to-empty becomes second nature after a few drives; still, range anxiety hasn’t vanished completely.

Comparing Gas and Electric: Old Habits Die Hard

For decades, Americans equated road freedom with filling up at any corner gas station. Switching to an electric rental disrupts that rhythm. Instead of listening for the thrum of an idling V6 at traffic lights, you notice the soft tick of climate controls and the distant sound of tires on pavement. Yet for all their quiet efficiency, these cars demand new habits planning routes around charging stations and factoring in charging times when mapping out a day trip to Napa or Tahoe.

Fuel savings are real but depend on local electricity rates and whether drivers use public fast chargers (which can be pricey) or slower hotel outlets (often free or low-cost). For eco-conscious travelers or those curious about living with an EV, renting one from Hertz offers a no-pressure trial that few dealerships can match.

EVs vs. the Competition: Who Else Is Playing?

The rental industry as a whole is warming up to electrification, but Hertz stands out for its sheer scale. Avis Budget Group has made some moves into electrics but remains smaller in scope focusing mainly on pilot programs and select city locations. Enterprise Holdings has begun adding EVs regionally but hasn’t matched Hertz’s fleet numbers or visibility.

The real competition may come from ride-hailing giants like Uber and Lyft, both rolling out their own EV initiatives for drivers and riders alike. Still, no other rental provider in North America currently offers as wide a selection of mass-market EV models at mainstream locations as Hertz does in 2024.

Charging Forward: Consumer Adoption & Infrastructure Challenges

The American appetite for electric vehicles is growing but remains mixed especially outside coastal cities where charging deserts persist. According to data from the U.S. Department of Energy, there are now more than 60,000 public charging stations nationwide (as of early 2024), but access is uneven. Urban hubs like San Francisco or Los Angeles are saturated with options; rural highways much less so.

Hertz has partnered with charging networks and hotels to help bridge these gaps, but seamless long-distance travel still requires planning ahead. As someone who’s driven both gas and electric rentals across California backroads and interstate freeways alike, I can say that while range estimates have gotten more reliable and battery tech continues to improve the country isn’t quite plug-and-play everywhere just yet.

The Road Ahead: Sustainability Meets Business Reality

Sustainability is core to Hertz’s messaging around its electrification push. By expanding its EV fleet, the company aims not only to reduce tailpipe emissions but also position itself as a forward-thinking mobility provider a smart move given looming regulatory changes in states like California that will increasingly restrict sales of new internal combustion vehicles over the next decade.

Still, electrifying thousands of rental cars isn’t without challenges from managing battery health across high-mileage vehicles to ensuring equitable access to charging infrastructure for all customers. The transition also means re-training staff on everything from vehicle prep (charging instead of fueling) to explaining regenerative braking quirks at pickup counters.

Final Thoughts From Behind the Wheel

I’ve rented my fair share of cars over the years some forgettable sedans with tired interiors; others brimming with that new-car scent and fresh tech interfaces. Hertz’s electric expansion feels like more than just another fleeting industry trend. There’s genuine substance here: lower emissions per mile driven, quieter cabins at highway speeds (noticeably less road noise than something like a Silverado), plus enough acceleration to put a smile on most drivers’ faces.

If you’re even mildly curious about living with an EV or just want to see what all the buzz is about the next time you need a rental car might be your best shot yet at experiencing this technology firsthand. Just remember to pack your patience along with your luggage if your journey takes you off the beaten path; America’s charging network still has some catching up to do.