ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Hertz has partnered with bp to develop an electric vehicle charging network for the car rental firm’s customers across North America, powered by bp pulse, bp’s global electrification and charging solution brand. Bp pulse will also manage the charging infrastructure and will offer Hertz customizable software, allowing the company to ensure its EVs are charged quickly between rentals.
“This is a landmark moment. It shows the power of bringing together bp’s digital and operational capabilities with a partner like Hertz. Together with its industry-leading electrification ambitions, we can change the future of electric rental cars,” said Vic Shao, founder of Amply Power and president of bp pulse’s fleet division in the United States, in a statement.
Hertz has purchased EVs from Tesla and Polestar and recently signed a deal with General Motors to order up to 175,000 electric vehicles over a five-year period. Hertz EV rentals are available at 500 Hertz locations across 38 states.
Hertz’s objective is for one-quarter of its fleet to be electric by the end of 2024 and plans to build the fleet through acquisitions from various EV manufacturers. Hertz said it has invested in thousands of charging stations across its locations, and this partnership with bp pulse will enable Hertz to substantially expand its national charging footprint.
“Hertz is accelerating the adoption of electrification by investing in the largest rental fleet of electric vehicles in North America and expanding the availability of charging stations,” said Stephen Scherr, Hertz CEO. “We are excited to partner with bp pulse to create a national charging infrastructure for the Hertz EV fleet, thereby growing the number of charging options available to our customers and providing them with a premium electric experience and lower emission travel options.”
Many convenience stores are investing in EV charging infrastructure, including 7-Eleven, Sheetz and Circle K, among many others.
According to a Bloomberg survey, U.S. electric vehicle shoppers want an EV with a range of at least 300 miles, and less than 10% of those surveyed would buy an EV with a charge range of 200 miles or less. However, 95% of car trips in the U.S. are 30 miles or less.
The Fuels Institute is headlining two EV-related education sessions at the 2022 NACS Show, October 1-4 in Las Vegas. These include EV Economics: Fact vs. Fiction and Reality of EV Transitions. Register today to attend the NACS Show.