London Leading the Way in Electric Vehicle Mobility but Collaboration is Key to Accelerate the EV Revolution, Says Hertz

LONDON, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Everyone has a role to play in encouraging the further adoption of electric vehicles throughout the UK according to industry experts Office of Low Emissions Vehicles, Transport for London, PwC and Hertz
• Continued collaboration efforts should focus on education, financial incentives, creating opportunities to trial and commitment to infrastructure development in order to drive EV access for all

The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ), the world's largest general use car rental brand, today hosted a discussion with representatives from the Office of Low Emissions Vehicles, Transport for London's Source London and PricewaterhouseCoopers on the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. Electric vehicles have become a reality in London, which is a leader in advancing a new model for mobility, but the speakers at the event suggested that collaboration will be key to accelerating EV adoption more widely throughout the UK for both consumers and businesses as well as enabling access for all.

Speaking at the event, Michel Taride, President, Hertz International and Executive Vice President, Hertz Corporation, said: "London is truly a leader in electric mobility - once a vision, electric vehicles and a charging infrastructure have now become a reality in our capital city. Our goal at Hertz is to help make smart mobility a viable, global reality by giving customers and communities access to sustainable transportation options along with alternatives to car ownership such as car share. The car rental industry, local and central government, charging station providers, businesses and consumers now need to come together and each play their role in spreading the EV revolution throughout the UK."

At the event, Fraser Macdonald, Transport for London Project Manager, Source London, commented on the importance of collaboration and partnership: "We are still at the beginning of a journey and hope our story - one of optimizing partnerships, developing policy and aiding private and public sector partners to work together - will change the shape of London, develop a new market and deliver cleaner air for the capital."      

The other participants of the discussion included:

• Richard Bruce, Head of Office of Low Emissions Vehicles who provided insight into the electric vehicle situation in the UK, how charging networks will develop in the future, and Government initiatives.
• Mark Avery, Head of Business Services, PwC who talked about the organization's electric vehicle car solution, delivered in partnership with Hertz On Demand, and the benefits of EV car share as a solution for business travel today and in the future.
• Fraser Macdonald, Transport for London, Project Manager, Source London, who provided a strategic overview of Source London and its plans for the future.

Mr. Taride continued: "Vehicle technology has advanced to make EVs a reality, but the network of charging stations to support usage is essential. Like London, cities need to have plans in place to develop EV networks; bringing together stakeholders including EV manufacturers, charging station providers and customers. In addition to on-street charging, corporations should install charging stations in buildings and business campuses to support fleet business cars as well as personal cars."

Hertz also believes that education is key to encouraging mass adoption of EVs by consumers and businesses and that the car rental industry and government should launch a joint marketing campaign to educate people in the UK on the benefits of the new technologies; collaborating to make the electric revolution happen even faster.

In less than a year, Hertz's global EV program and strategy, which is part of the Hertz rental offer and Hertz on Demand car share, has grown from a vision to a market reality in more than ten cities across three continents. Hertz offers the most diverse fleet of EVs and plug-in hybrids available in the rental market - from manufacturers including Nissan, Renault, Vauxhall Motors, Chevrolet, GM, Mitsubishi, and Tesla. In London Hertz data shows that the average electric vehicle rental is six hours, with an average journey of 16.81 miles.

About Hertz

Hertz is the world's largest general use car rental company, operating from over 8,500 corporate locations in 150 countries worldwide. Hertz is in its 93rd year of delivering quality car rental solutions to leisure and corporate customers.  Product and service innovations such as Hertz #1 Club Gold, Worldwide Online Check-in, specially designed NeverLost® satellite navigation systems, and unique cars offered through the company's Prestige, Family, Fun/Adrenaline and Green Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition.  For more information please go to http://www.hertz.com.

About Hertz Electric Vehicles

Hertz is the first car-rental company to deploy EVs and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric) on three continents -- in the U.S. (available to the public in New York, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco), the U.K. (London), and China (Shanghai).  As the world's largest airport general-use car-rental brand, Hertz is introducing multiple groups of consumers - urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations - to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As a result, the company is forming partnerships with automakers, charging-station providers (e.g., GE), municipalities, non-governmental organizations, corporations and other stakeholders to make EVs easily accessible to consumers.

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.  

About Hertz On Demand

Hertz On Demand has more than 800 vehicles available to drive from more than 250 locations worldwide, including 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 Center communication.  For more information, or to register, visit http://www.hertzondemand.com or http://www.hertzondemand.co.uk, or call Member Care Services at 877-654-4400 in the US or 08708-45-45-45 in the UK.

For more information please go to http://www.hertz.com.

About Source London

• Transport for London, as the Mayor's transport authority, oversees the delivery and operation of the Source London network.
• Membership of Source London allows for limitless re-charging of its publicly accessible network in locations across the city.
• For more information or to register with Source London go to  https://www.sourcelondon.net/  

Hertz Press Contacts

Caroline Trotman Dickenson
Ketchum Pleon
T: +44(0)20-7611-3686
E: [email protected] 

Luke Campbell
Ketchum Pleon
T: +44(0)207-611-3835
E: [email protected]

SOURCE Hertz