Thinking about buying an EV? Rent one first!
Eager to get behind the wheel of an electric vehicle but don’t want to go through the hassle of test driving one at the dealership? Don’t fret (cue trumpet fanfare) because Hertz is coming to the rescue!
Nissan and Renault have announced a partnership in which electric vehicles, like the soon-to-launch Nissan Leaf, will be available for rent at Hertz agencies in the United Sates and Europe. This partnership is an interesting move for the two automakers because it takes the EV out of the laboratory and allows the public to experience – and judge – these zero emission vehicles in the real world.
On the one hand, the public will now be exposed to the many joys of owning an electric vehicle, like buttery-smooth acceleration and complete lack of emissions from driving. On the other, Nissan and Renault risk exposing customers to unpleasant “range anxiety” and fear over not being able to find a public charging station.
It’s a double-edged sword for Hertz, too. The media attention and boost to their green image will be weighed against scary new logistical challenges. Notably: what happens if a customer runs out of juice and is unable to find a place to charge?
I welcome this move because of its transparency. Nissan and Renault are, in effect, expressing their confidence in EV technology by making these cars as widely available as possible. Rather than rely on a handful of early adopters to get the word out, now anyone can take an extended spin and see for themselves. It’s a bold move, for sure, but I think that it will do far more good than harm.
The Nissan Leaf goes on sale in select markets in late-2010 with wider availability in 2012. So for all of you EV curious folks planning travel in the coming months, be sure to reserve a Leaf. Try it out for yourself and let us know what you think.
And even if you’re not an early adopter; you can at least pretend to be one for a few days.
