Lot's of publicity and subsidies but how many real renters will there be for EVs?
The Hertz Corporation (NYSE:HTZ) has signed a Letter of Intent to add Renault electric vehicles (EVs) to the European fleets of Hertz and its car sharing club Connect by Hertz. Rentals will begin no later then 2012.
Hertz said that it plans to add 500 units of the Renault EV range to its fleet over the next two years in what can be characterized as a modest effort to see if there really is a rental market for EVs. Avis claims it has similar, but thus far unspecified, plans in Europe for renting rival Citroen EVs as well.
Renault is launching three electric models during 2011, the Fluence Z.E., Kangoo Z.E. and the decidedly quirky Twizy, followed by the Zoe in 2012. None of these EVs are due to appear in the U.S. where Alliance partner Nissan is now offering the Leaf. In Europe Renault EV drivers will not own the expensive lithium ion batteries used but rather lease them from Renault.
Hertz already offers European renters what it calls the Green Collection comprised of various models from different makers that produce CO2 emissions level of less than 140g/km. This roughly translates into fuel economy of 45 to 65 mpg, depending upon the vehicle size, and is roughly twice as strict as current U.S. emission requirements that are being phased in by 2016.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
