Hertz partners with GE Energy China and the China EV Pilot City to build out EV infrastructure; Hertz is the first car rental company to offer EVs on three continents
SHANGHAI, Aug. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Hertz Corporation (NYSE:HTZ) today announced the expansion of its Global EV initiative to China, making it the first global rental car company to offer electric vehicles (EVs) on three continents. Hertz now offers EVs across the US in cities including New York, Washington, DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles and in London, United Kingdom, and other cities in Europe. To help build a market for what is also the first EV rental service in China, today Hertz signed:
"China has committed to rapidly expand electric vehicle travel and Hertz is committed to supporting the ambitious EV Pilot City program," said Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Working with our existing rental car network in China and partners such as GE, we are dedicated to helping build the necessary EV infrastructure in China and to create a new transportation solution that employs the latest technology and harnesses innovations being launched in China today."
The partnerships are part of a multi-layered approach to launch an EV rental program in Shanghai. Key features of the agreements signed today include commitments from:
"GE, as a world-wide leading company is glad to respond to the Chinese government's call for support of the EV industry. It's our great pleasure to be invited to this partnership with Hertz and China international EV Zone," stated Johnny Wang, General Manager, Greater China, GE Energy Industrial Solutions, "Signing this MOU among us will bring to our integrated EV solutions based on our strengths and advantages in separate areas. Electric vehicles will be increasingly prioritized in national energy strategies around the world."
Earlier this year, Shanghai was selected as the electric vehicle international pilot city by the Chinese government and Jiading district of Shanghai as the electric vehicle international demonstration zone, with a goal of increasing public awareness and integration within the industry. Current partners include auto manufactures, energy suppliers, insurance companies and the other EV supply chain participants. Hertz is the first rental car company to sign an agreement to become a partner of the China (Shanghai) International Electric Vehicle Pilot City.
The partnership supports the Twelfth Five-Year Plan objective for the promotion of EVs in China and will serve as a foundation for further innovation and development of the infrastructure. The current five-year plan identifies EVs as one of the seven strategic initiatives for China in the next few years and calls for a significant ramp up in both EV charging station deployment and EV manufacturing. The Chinese central government is currently offering 60,000 RMB rebates for EV purchases and a number of leading cities including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen are offering additional rebates.
In its first year, the Hertz Global EV initiative has grown from a vision to a market presence in ten cities, offering the most diverse fleet of electric vehicles from manufactures including Nissan, GM, Mitsubishi, Renault, Daimler and Tesla. As the world’s largest general use airport car rental brand, Hertz is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers – urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations – to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As part of its strategy, Hertz is forming partnerships with automakers, charging station providers, municipalities, non government organizations, corporations and other stakeholders.
"At the Clinton Global Initiative last September, we announced a commitment to provide electric vehicle access on a global scale - an ambitious goal," commented Frissora. "In less than one year, Hertz is now the leading provider of EV mobility solutions, offering an unparalleled selection of EVs and PHEVs in cities worldwide. We are firmly committed to adding new retail and business to business EV car rental locations internationally as auto manufacturers ramp up EV and PHEV production over the next few years."
Hertz plans to increase its global EV presence by deploying vehicles in other countries in the coming months. Hertz Global EV will continue to leverage the company’s rental and car sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations, and tap into its technology – including sophisticated fleet management tools and consumer-facing GPS systems, including Hertz NeverLost in the U.S. – to help form an EV grid.
For more information, visit www.hertz.com or www.hertzondemand.com .
About Hertz
Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand operating from more than 8,500 locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 83 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The Company also has licensee locations in cities and airports in Africa and the Middle East. Product and services such as Hertz #1 Club Gold(R), NeverLost(R) in-car GPS system, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and unique cars and SUVs offered through the Company's Prestige, Adrenaline and Green Traveler Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. The Company also operates the Advantage car rental brand at 26 airports in the U.S. And, Hertz operates one of the world's largest equipment rental businesses, Hertz Equipment Rental Corporation, offering a diverse line of equipment for rent, including tools and supplies, and new and used equipment for sale, from approximately 325 branches in the United States, Canada, China, France, Spain, Italy and Saudi Arabia.
Hertz entered China since 2002 with outbound rental services. In 2009, Hertz established a WOFE and started to provide a wide range of domestic rental services in addition to its outbound rental business, serving both individual customers as well as corporate customers. Leveraging its internationally strong brand power as well as its DNA of continuous innovation, Hertz strives to grow its business fast in China via continuously differentiated and innovative leasing and rental services to satisfy customers’ needs.
Media Contact:
Elva Li
Phone： +86-21-6085-1900 / 6085-1907 / +86-137-6104-9322
Email： elvli@hertz.com
