Travelers are likely surprised (and excited) to hear that Hertz has announced a $4 billion deal with Tesla that will add 100,000 Model 3 electric vehicles to its North American and European fleet by the end of 2022.
The troubled rental car company declared bankruptcy in 2020 and has struggled with its rental fleet since travel has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. This news is sure to be welcomed by renters who will now have access to one of the most popular cars on the market.
Hertz Adding Electric Vehicles to Fleet
For those not familiar, the Tesla Model 3 is a midsize, 4-door fastback electric sedan. The Model 3 is Tesla’s most affordable vehicle, starting at around $40,000, is loaded with tech, and is a blast to drive.
While the bulk of the Tesla Model 3 EVs will be delivered in 2022, renters will have access to them starting at the end of 2021 at select airports and neighborhood locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Washington, D.C.
For anyone who has rented from Hertz over the past year or so, these electric cars are sure to be an upgrade over the (limited) selection that has been available.
Charging the Teslas
For renters who have never driven an electric car before, charging could be a pain point. Base models can get up to 263 miles of range, but charging stations are popping up in more and more locations, including hotels, malls, rest stops, and more.
Customers who rent a Tesla Model 3 will also have access to over 3,000 Tesla supercharging stations throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Hertz also announced that it will install thousands of chargers throughout its location network so that customers will have plenty of access. There has been no mention of whether or not charging fees will be included or not.
Uber Drivers
Separately, it was announced that up to 50,000 of these Teslas will be made available to select Uber drivers. So even if you aren’t renting a Model 3 at the airport, you still may get a ride home in one.
To qualify for a Tesla Model 3, Uber drivers must have a high rating and then they will be able to rent one for $334 a week before taxes and fees.
Final Thoughts
Tesla Model 3s charging at a Hertz Local Edition office. Image Credit: HertzHertz customers and Hertz Gold Plus Rewards members should be excited about the prospect of being able to rent a Tesla Model 3 on their next trip. These advanced cars are a lot of fun to drive, plus, using less gas is always a good thing.
For anyone considering purchasing a Tesla, renting one for a few days is a great way to get an in-depth test drive.
There is no question that this is a great move by Hertz as its brand image had certainly taken a hit over the past year. Hopefully, we start seeing some Model 3s in the President’s Circle aisle as a free upgrade!
Featured Image Credit:
Hertz
