Polestar is Hertz’s second large EV deal.
The rental firm placed an order for 100,000 Teslas in October, the first step in a grandiose ambition to electrify its fleet. Hertz’s electrification programme, which will eventually affect almost 500,000 cars and trucks worldwide, is the company’s first major move since emerging from bankruptcy in June.
Hertz will first order the 2020 Polestar 2 fastback with four doors. The sedans will be available for rental at Hertz locations around Europe this spring, with North America and Australia following in late 2022.
On Monday, Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr told Automotive News TV that diversifying the rental fleet is critical.
“It enables our customers — both corporate and individual — to drive a variety of different automobiles,” Scherr explained. “Polestar has created a truly fearsome vehicle.”
Hertz anticipates that the EV fleet’s life cycle will be longer than that of conventional vehicles.
“These automobiles require less maintenance; in the future, we’ll be able to re-kit the interiors,” Scherr explained.
EVs also provide Hertz with a “variety of business channels that are not confined to consumers,” Scherr explained.
This covers ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft.
“Many firms are also pursuing ESG [environmental, social, and corporate governance] objectives by equipping employees with electric vehicles, particularly if they must rent,” Scherr said.
Polestar will debut a crossover in the size of a Porsche Cayenne next year. The Polestar 3 is being constructed in the United States and China on a new all-electric platform designed by Volvo for its next-generation electric vehicles.
Sam Abuelsamid, chief analyst at Guidehouse Insights, stated that performance-oriented Polestar provides Hertz with a “premium EV brand cache.”
“It provides Hertz with an option for electric vehicle fans who aren’t interested in renting a Tesla,” Abuelsamid explained.