The Hertz Corporation (NYSE:HTZ) has signed an all-electric car sharing partnership with Milton Keynes Council. Through the free-to-join Hertz On Demand car sharing club, local residents and businesses will be able to reserve and drive Nissan LEAF vehicles in Milton Keynes from just £5.00 per hour. Customers will be able to park and charge the vehicles for free at charging bays in the city. Additionally, customers can top up their electric charge at more than 100 towns and cities across the UK, including London, Luton and Cambridge, through Chargemaster’s Source London and POLAR national electric vehicle charging networks.
Michel Taride, President of Hertz International, said: “It is a pleasure to work with Milton Keynes Council to launch electric vehicle car sharing for residents, businesses and visitors. Electric vehicles are of huge importance to us and in the UK we’re dedicated to expanding our electric mobility solutions outside of London. This partnership highlights the growing popularity of car-sharing in communities seeking green solutions which are both convenient and cost-effective. The other attraction of this scheme lies in its simplicity – members can simply click, book and drive.”
Councillor Bint, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways commented: “We are delighted to be able to offer the Hertz On Demand car sharing scheme to residents and visitors. Milton Keynes Council is committed to reducing the impact on our natural environment and we always welcome ideas which will assist us in achieving this goal. The Hertz On Demand electric car share service is an excellent addition to our existing environmental initiatives; not only helping us in cutting down on our carbon emissions but also contributing to our local community by reducing traffic congestion and the pressure for residents’ parking spaces.”
David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster plc, added: “Chargemaster is delighted to be participating in such an innovative programme along with Hertz and Milton Keynes Council. Users will have the benefit of being able to charge their cars at many places across the region and nationally through the POLAR charging network, making everyday usage a viable proposition. This scheme will further help familiarise people with electric vehicles and encourage an increase in their adoption.”
Committed to providing an economical, convenient and socially-conscious alternative to car ownership, Hertz On Demand offers a global network of car share vehicles for rental by the hour or day. This includes electric vehicles in cities such as Rome, Paris, London and New York.
In Milton Keynes, the Hertz On Demand electric cars are available to hire from £5.00 per hour, and can be booked in seconds over the phone, using an iPhone app, or by visiting www.hertzondemand.co.uk. Rates include insurance, maintenance, cleaning, and roadside assistance, and all-electric vehicles eliminate the costs of fuel and mileage fees.
In addition to the 100 POLAR charging points in Milton Keynes and within 20 miles of the town, the POLAR charging scheme provides Hertz On Demand customers with access to over 2,000 points across the country, including rapid charging units that can charge a Nissan LEAF in approximately 20 minutes.
Hertz On Demand customers also exclusively benefit from a membership that is free for life, while the global roaming network allows access to vehicles in seven countries worldwide, more than any other provider. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 21 with a licence valid for the UK.
All Hertz On Demand customers benefit from keyless entry to vehicles via a smart chip-enabled RFID device, along with access to a cutting-edge communication system that offers in-vehicle member care around the clock. The Nissan LEAF provides efficiency, performance and range: a complete recharge can support more than 100 miles (175km) while on-board technology generates electricity while travelling.
As the world’s largest general-use car-rental brand, Hertz is introducing multiple groups of consumers to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Through partnerships with a range of organisations including manufacturers, charging networks, corporations and universities, Hertz is making it easier than ever before for consumers to trial electric technology.
Committed to increasing its global electric vehicle presence, Hertz also plans to deploy vehicles in other countries and territories in coming months, leveraging its rental and car sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations. Furthermore Hertz’s advance technology – including sophisticated fleet management tools and consumer-facing GPS systems – will be employed to achieve a goal of an international electric vehicle grid.
About Hertz On Demand
Hertz On Demand has more than 230,000 members and 1600 vehicles located at over 800 locations worldwide, including cities, corporate offices and universities. Hertz On Demand offers vehicles equipped with keyless entry, and benefits covered by the competitive hourly rate including fuel, insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, 24-hour in car Member Care Centre communication, and, in the US, 180 free miles per 24 hours. For more information about Hertz On Demand in the UK, visit www.hertzondemand.com/London/en-GB/Home
