Global rental car provider Hertz has struck a deal with Nissan to bring electric cars to the US and European markets within the next two years.
Under the terms of the agreement, Hertz has committed itself to the “zero emission” Nissan Leaf, a medium-size hatchback which runs on lithium-ion batteries giving it a range of around 100 miles (160km).
Nissan’s COO Toshiyuki Shiga said the partnership with Hertz was “an important step towards our goal of promoting widespread acceptance of electric vehicles” and part of a drive by it and alliance partner Renault to promote the eco-friendly cars.
Hertz hopes to one day include the Nissan Leaf (Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car) in its global car share service, Connect by Hertz, as well as its traditional rental services.
Hertz is not the first car rental company to introduce electric vehicles. Last year Europcar announced plans to introduce an electric car, again in partnership with Nissan, while Sixt successfully added Citroën C1 ev`ie to its Danish fleet.
The Nissan Leaf is due to go on sale in Japan, the US and Europe later this year. The Nissan-Renault Alliance will then begin to mass market electric vehicles in 2012.
For more information visit nissan-zeroemission.com.
Report by Andrew Gough
