The Covid pandemic has hit auto rental agencies hard, but Hertz is betting on the future – in more ways than one – with an order for 100,000 Tesla Model 3s for its fleet. It’s the largest single purchase of electric vehicles in history.
Unfortunately for Canadians, the first rollouts start in November only in select US and European cities. The company is also installing Superchargers at thousands of its locations, further expanding charging points for Tesla. The order means Hertz will have 20 per cent of its entire rental fleet powered by electricity only.
Renting a Tesla comes with a premium rental service from Hertz, which will include digital education about electric vehicles, and EV rental booking will be available through the Hertz mobile app.
The announcement comes more than a year after Hertz filed for bankruptcy protection, as the pandemic brought travel to a stop. It is partnering with seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady for a new “Hertz, Let’s Go!” marketing campaign involving its new Tesla fleet.
Football star Tom Brady will lead a campaign for Hertz and its new fleet of Tesla Model 3s.
It’s not the first time Hertz has broken new ground in the EV world; it was the first auto rental agency to introduce EVs to its fleet back in 2011.
The deal is obviously good news for Tesla; not only is the purchase estimated to be worth more than US$4 billion, the company also surpassed US$1 trillion in market capitalization on Monday after the order was announced.
