Join day by day information updates from CleanTechnica on electronic mail. Or comply with us on Google Information!
This can be a wild one. We’ve lined the Hertz resolution to purchase tens of 1000’s of Teslas, adopted by the Hertz resolution to purchase tens of 1000’s fewer Teslas than it initially deliberate and to unload many of the ones the corporate had. We’ve additionally lined the truth that Hertz arrange a used EV web site to unload these vehicles extra successfully. The most recent twist on this story, although, is that Hertz is attempting to promote these automobiles to clients — to rental clients.
Whereas renting a automobile — and this goes for Teslas in addition to different EVs, like Polestars, and doubtlessly non-EVs, however I haven’t seen reviews of that — individuals are getting emails that say:
Having fun with your rental? Take it dwelling with Hertz Automotive Gross sales.
Should you’re purchasing for a brand new automobile, consider this rental as a check drive! Should you’re removed from dwelling, Hertz Automotive Gross sales has areas across the US — or you may have the automobile delivered.
Somebody posted a screenshot of that on reddit. On this particular instance, he was being provided a 2023 Tesla Mannequin 3 with fewer than 30,000 miles on it for simply $17,913! I bought a 2015 BMW i3 for barely lower than that in 2018. It was a REx i3 with 70 miles of electrical vary and one other 60 miles of gasoline vary. The EV panorama has improved loads since then!
However is it a superb deal? Effectively, Jalopnik factors out that, “For what it’s price, there are a ton of used Teslas on the Hertz Automotive Gross sales web site, however something priced this cheaply reveals effectively over six digits on the odometer, and isn’t almost as interesting. It’s unclear if this Redditor simply bought a very whole lot, or if Hertz is simply attempting to promote every part not nailed down earlier than the top of the calendar yr.” Fascinating. Curious, certainly.
Is that this only a intelligent thought somebody got here up with to assist push vehicles, or is Hertz determined and going to extremes to get a few of these automobiles off its books?
Circling again to Hertz’ points with the Tesla leases, listed below are some key factors in case you missed them:
- Teslas had been extra more likely to get into accidents (which could possibly be from folks driving them crazily, because of the firm’s advertising, or could possibly be from folks not being conversant in them and getting distracted whereas driving — or each).
- Ready on repairs was taking means too lengthy (time is cash within the automobile rental biz) and costing an excessive amount of.
- Upkeep prices had been a lot greater than anticipated, particularly when it got here to tires (once more, renters had been in all probability burning rubber too usually — renting Teslas to “check them out” and even simply being tempted by the torque as soon as getting in them).
There was additionally a giant problem at Hertz and different rental automobile firms in that they had been (and presumably nonetheless are) renting electrical vehicles with out giving renters any tutorial and even video to observe on easy methods to use them and the place to cost. There was an epidemic of renters not realizing easy methods to drive the vehicles or the place or easy methods to cost them. I had an expertise the place somebody got here as much as me at a Tesla Supercharger asking how he may cost his non-Tesla EV rental there. I had to assist him discover an precise choice, however he was removed from something good and never headed in the correct route. It’s full malpractice how rental automobile firms have gone about introducing EVs to their fleets with out correct schooling for non-EV homeowners.
I used to be very enthusiastic about Hertz going electrical with its leases and shopping for a ton of Teslas. The best way the entire thing has gone, although, man … it’s not been good. Hopefully it has at the very least led to many individuals experiencing EVs throughout a rental and instantly being bought on shopping for one themselves. I think about that should have occurred a good variety of instances, regardless of some clearly dangerous experiences.
Anyway, in case you’re seeking to purchase a used Tesla, maybe hire one from Hertz and see in the event that they give you a depraved low value.
Associated story: Depraved Low Costs On Used Teslas — Simply A Few Issues To Watch Out For

Chip in a number of {dollars} a month to assist help impartial cleantech protection that helps to speed up the cleantech revolution!
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Need to promote? Need to counsel a visitor for our CleanTech Discuss podcast? Contact us right here.
Join our day by day e-newsletter for 15 new cleantech tales a day. Or join our weekly one if day by day is simply too frequent.
CleanTechnica makes use of affiliate hyperlinks. See our coverage right here.
CleanTechnica’s Remark Coverage