Hertz Will Order Up To 65,000 Polestar EVs For Its Rental Fleet (engadget.com) 35
Hertz will buy "up to" 65,000 Polestar EVs for its rental fleet over the next five years. It follows a similar decision last year to order 100,000 Tesla vehicles by the end of 2022, which helped Tesla's market valuation surpass the $1 trillion mark. Engadget reports: The initial mix will focus on the Polestar 2 sedan, but should expand to other models over time. Vehicles will be available to rent in Europe starting this spring, and should reach both North America and Australia late this year. The team-up is a continuation of Hertz's plan to offer the biggest selection of EV rentals in North America, and "one of the largest" worldwide. The strategy includes offering EVs to rideshare drivers working for companies like Uber.
The purchase is a gradual one, and Hertz has clearly given itself wiggle room in case it wants fewer models. This is still a large order, though, and could significantly increase the chances that your next rental might be an EV. It's also a bigger deal for Polestar than it was for Tesla. Polestar sold just 29,000 cars in 2021, and 'only' expects to more than double that number in 2022 -- Hertz could play a large role in the manufacturer's near-term success.
The purchase is a gradual one, and Hertz has clearly given itself wiggle room in case it wants fewer models. This is still a large order, though, and could significantly increase the chances that your next rental might be an EV. It's also a bigger deal for Polestar than it was for Tesla. Polestar sold just 29,000 cars in 2021, and 'only' expects to more than double that number in 2022 -- Hertz could play a large role in the manufacturer's near-term success.
Once they're delivered (Score:1)
Hertz will report them all stolen.
The polecat (Score:2)
The polestar has a potentially unfortunate pejorative nickname waiting for it. It could pole axe it
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and if the battery has any issue the renter will p (Score:2)
and if the battery has any issue the renter will pay up to 20K to replace it + loss of use.
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Just like if a gasoline engine decides to grenade itself. Retard.
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Tesla wantted 16K for an $700 fix at 3rd party sho (Score:2)
Tesla wantted 16K for an $700 fix at 3rd party shop
https://www.thedrive.com/news/... [thedrive.com]
damage caused by accidents will be covered by insurance my ass.
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Read this. [allstate.com]
https://www.allstate.com/tr/ca... [allstate.com]).
Re: and if the battery has any issue the renter wi (Score:3)
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consider.
purchasing an Loss Damage Waver, (LDW)
"up to" (Score:3)
What does that even mean, "up to" 65,000 Polestar EVs?
That could be one EV.
Re: "up to" (Score:2)
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This is gonna be interesting (Score:4, Insightful)
A few years ago, while I was at a gas station filling up my work van, I saw someone pull up to the pump in a Tesla. They sat there for a few seconds, presumably realized the mistake they'd just made, and left.
I imagine there's going to be a lot of renters who aren't accustomed to driving a BEV, who'll be similarly confused about what to do when it's low on "gas".
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A few years ago, while I was at a gas station filling up my work van, I saw someone pull up to the pump in a Tesla. They sat there for a few seconds, presumably realized the mistake they'd just made, and left.
I imagine there's going to be a lot of renters who aren't accustomed to driving a BEV, who'll be similarly confused about what to do when it's low on "gas".
Yeah, many people who rent cars are away from home. Maybe staying at hotels, or with friends or relatives, but in any case less likely to have a fast charger in their parking spot than if they were at home with a BEV of their own.
If I were renting a car the last thing I would want to deal with is suddenly needing to formulate a plan for charging, especially in a foreign place, and even more especially since the savings of electric vs petrol is going to be noise lost amongst the rental fees. Convenience
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Yes, because when I rent an EV I wait until I pick it up before planning how to charge it. I would never look at the area first using some new technology like the internet and see if it makes sense for me and what I want to do. I usually like to wing it and just let the chips land where they fall, consequences be damned.
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I usually like to wing it and just let the chips land where they fall, consequences be damned.
That is what I do, since gas cars generally require no advance planning at all.
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A lot of people plan their trips meticulously, and try to save money whenever they can...
Depending on the mileage and locations, an EV may end up significantly cheaper. Many hotels now offer EV charging for instance, so for your typical business trip where you land at a faraway airport, rent a car, drive it to a hotel and then back and forth between hotel and worksite(s) for a few days you just need to charge it overnight in your hotel while you sleep.
As charging locations become more widely available, driv
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Pretty sure you don't need to do this with a Tesla. It will literally tell you when it's low and point out charging stations within driving distance.
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The Polestar 2 Long Range is rated for 335 miles. Realistically a reliable 250 miles at motorway speeds in all weather.
Many users will not exceed that range during the rental period. Those who do will usually not exceed that range in a single day, so as hotels add chargers they can charge overnight and have a "full tank" in the morning. When they return the car, no need to first fill it up as Hertz can charge it themselves.
Overall it's going to be much more convenient for most people.
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Many users will not exceed that range during the rental period.
Many users won't want to have to think about it.
as hotels add chargers they can charge overnight and have a "full tank" in the morning.
If that is anything like what hotels charge for, say, wifi it may not even be cheaper than gasoline.
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I bet a lot of rental customers don't exceed the range of these cars, so never need to charge them. A lot will be business customers who just need transport to and from one location away from the airport, for example.
Rather than having to waste time going to a petrol station and filling up, they can just return the car and Hertz will plug it in to charge overnight. Combined with lower maintenance and zero emissions from the vehicle, it's a win for everyone.
What's the fee if I return it needing a charge? (Score:2)
Hey, just thought I'd ask.
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You've got it wrong. Hertz is just going to charge everyone the "you didn't fill it with gas" fee, because you can't fill it with gas. They've been trading tips with the telecommunications industry.
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You have to keep doing cookies in order to induce a charge.
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Well of course, they will charge you at least three times what it would cost you to charge it yourself. That's how the rental car business works.
will they actually buy them? (Score:2)
or is it a stock pump like the 100K teslas?
Polestar is emitting EVs at 65 kHz (Score:1)
Did I get that right?
Rent an EV then worry about charging (Score:1)
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You DON'T "sit and charge". You leave the car to charge itself while you wander off and do something more interesting for 30 mins or so. Like use the restroom, have a meal, do your shopping, etc.
So.... (Score:2)
Chinese? (Score:3)
Isn't Polestar made by Volvo Cars? Isn't Volvo Cars currently owned by the Chinese? Nice move, Hertz.