Hertz and the US city of Orlando, Florida, have launched Hertz Electrifies Orlando, a public-private partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles across Orlando.
As part of the partnership, Hertz aims to add up to 6,000 rental EVs to its existing fleet in Orlando. The new electric cars are targeting leisure and business customers as well as rideshare drivers.
Herz is partnering with BP to help expand charging across the Greater Orlando area for the installation of up to 50 public fast chargers. In February this year, BP announced that it would pump one billion US dollars into the development of charging infrastructure in the USA by 2030. Part of this investment will go towards the construction of charging facilities at the car rental company Hertz. Both players are planning a US-wide fast charging network at Hertz locations.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer remarked: “Our partnership with Hertz Electrifies will help us meet our goal of accelerating electric vehicles and expanding charging infrastructure. We are making Orlando ready for the future and working to ensure that everyone experiences the benefits that electric mobility options can bring, including our future workforce.”
Stephen Scherr, Hertz chair and CEO said: “It seems fitting that we are launching this public private partnership during National Travel & Tourism Week, given the city’s enormous importance as a destination for travelers around the globe. Hertz is excited to expand our EV offerings to our diverse customer set in Orlando, and to partner with Orlando Technical College to help bring EV education and training opportunities to students.”
Hertz is donating an electric vehicle to Orange Technical College and providing EV education and training materials that will enable the school to incorporate EV technology into its auto servicing programs.
“Having access to electric vehicles provides critical hands-on experience with new technology for students in Orange County,” said Dr. Maria Vazquez, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools.
Just last month Hertz and the US city of Atlanta, Georgia, entered a public-private partnership to bring more electric vehicles to the city, where some 4,000 additional EVs will also be available to private and business customers and rideshare drivers.
