Hertz Launches Electric Car Club For Milton Keynes

- Hertz On Demand provides Nissan LEAF car share service for residents and visitors

LONDON, Jan. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hertz Corporation (NYSE:HTZ) has signed an all-electric car sharing partnership with Milton Keynes Council. Through the free-to-join Hertz On Demand car sharing club, local residents and businesses will be able to reserve and drive Nissan LEAF vehicles in Milton Keynes from just £5.00 per hour. Customers will be able to park and charge the vehicles for free at charging bays in the city. Additionally, customers can top up their electric charge at more than 100 towns and cities across the UK, including London, Luton and Cambridge, through Chargemaster's Source London and POLAR national electric vehicle charging networks.

Michel Taride, President of Hertz International, said: "It is a pleasure to work with Milton Keynes Council to launch electric vehicle car sharing for residents, businesses and visitors. Electric vehicles are of huge importance to us and in the UK we're dedicated to expanding our electric mobility solutions outside of London. This partnership highlights the growing popularity of car-sharing in communities seeking green solutions which are both convenient and cost-effective. The other attraction of this scheme lies in its simplicity - members can simply click, book and drive."

Councillor Bint Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways commented: "We are delighted to be able to offer the Hertz On Demand car sharing scheme to residents and visitors. Milton Keynes Council is committed to reducing the impact on our natural environment and we always welcome ideas which will assist us in achieving this goal. The Hertz On Demand electric car share service is an excellent addition to our existing environmental initiatives; not only helping us in cutting down on our carbon emissions but also contributing to our local community by reducing traffic congestion and the pressure for residents' parking spaces."

David Martell, Chief Executive of Chargemaster plc, added: "Chargemaster is delighted to be participating in such an innovative programme along with Hertz and Milton Keynes Council. Users will have the benefit of being able to charge their cars at many places across the region and nationally through the POLAR charging network, making everyday usage a viable proposition. This scheme will further help familiarise people with electric vehicles and encourage an increase in their adoption."

Committed to providing an economical, convenient and socially-conscious alternative to car ownership, Hertz On Demand offers a global network of car share vehicles for rental by the hour or day. This includes electric vehicles in cities such as Rome, Paris, London and New York.

In Milton Keynes, the Hertz On Demand electric cars are available to hire from £5.00 per hour, and can be booked in seconds over the phone, using an iPhone app, or by visiting www.hertzondemand.co.uk. Rates include insurance, maintenance, cleaning, and roadside assistance, and all-electric vehicles eliminate the costs of fuel and mileage fees.

In addition to the 100 POLAR charging points in Milton Keynes and within 20 miles of the town, the POLAR charging scheme provides Hertz On Demand customers with access to over 2,000 points across the country, including rapid charging units that can charge a Nissan LEAF in approximately 20 minutes.

Hertz On Demand customers also exclusively benefit from a membership that is free for life, while the global roaming network allows access to vehicles in seven countries worldwide, more than any other provider. Membership is open to anyone over the age of 21 with a licence valid for the UK.

All Hertz On Demand customers benefit from keyless entry to vehicles via a smart chip-enabled RFID device, along with access to a cutting-edge communication system that offers in-vehicle member care around the clock. The Nissan LEAF provides efficiency, performance and range: a complete recharge can support more than 100 miles (175km) while on-board technology generates electricity while travelling.

As the world's largest general-use car-rental brand, Hertz is introducing multiple groups of consumers to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Through partnerships with a range of organisations including manufacturers, charging networks, corporations and universities, Hertz is making it easier than ever before for consumers to trial electric technology.

Committed to increasing its global electric vehicle presence, Hertz also plans to deploy vehicles in other countries and territories in coming months, leveraging its rental and car sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations. Furthermore Hertz's advance technology – including sophisticated fleet management tools and consumer-facing GPS systems – will be employed to achieve a goal of an international electric vehicle grid.

About Hertz On Demand
Hertz On Demand has more than 230,000 members and 1600 vehicles located at over 800 locations worldwide, including cities, corporate offices and universities. Hertz On Demand offers vehicles equipped with keyless entry, and benefits covered by the competitive hourly rate including fuel, insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, 24-hour in car Member Care Centre communication, and, in the US, 180 free miles per 24 hours. For more information about Hertz On Demand in the UK, visit www.hertzondemand.com/London/en-GB/Home

About Hertz
Hertz is the world's largest general use car rental company, operating from over 8,650 corporate locations in 150 countries worldwide. Hertz is in its 93rd year of delivering quality car rental solutions to leisure and corporate customers. Product and service innovations such as Hertz #1 Club Gold, Worldwide Online Check-in, specially designed NeverLost® satellite navigation systems, and unique cars offered through the company's Prestige, Family, Fun/Adrenaline and Green Collections, set Hertz apart from the competition. For more information please go to http://www.hertz.com/

About Milton Keynes Council
Milton Keynes has a track record of linking innovation, CO2 reduction in energy efficiency on the one hand and quality of life on the other. Its well-coordinated programmes featuring cutting edge technologies and pioneering partners means we are leading the way in reducing carbon emissions across the borough and becoming a show case city. As part of its transport strategy we are fast becoming something of a green transport hub with the introduction of electric car charging points, e-car clubs and the new plans to introduce electric buses in the borough in 2013. For more information visit: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/

About the Nissan LEAF
Nissan LEAF is a highly popular all-electric vehicle and features a 4 star Euro NCAP rating. It comes with a compact electric engine, with 80 kW power and 280 NM torque, powered by a 24 kWh lithium ion laminated battery which guarantees efficiency, great performance and range. While travelling downhill or braking, the special brake system converts the Nissan LEAF's kinetic energy into electric energy, helping to recharge the battery. A dashboard display indicates the efficiency of the driving. A complete recharge is enough for a distance of 175 km. In addition, with the ECO option drivers can reduce the electric energy consumption, increasing the driving range per recharge.

About Chargemaster Plc
Chargemaster is the premier supplier of electric vehicle charging solutions in the UK and Europe. Its partners and customers include: TfL, Hertz, Waitrose, Asda, Sainsbury, SSE, British Gas, EDF, Vinci, East of England PiP and over 15 local authorities across the UK. Chargemaster has recently won a significant contract to install up to 1,000 charging units in Amsterdam over the next two years. Chargemaster charging units have been tested and validated by all current manufacturers of electric vehicles. Chargemaster's technical and management team led by David Martell has over 25 years' experience in developing and managing telematics and motoring orientated infrastructures. This was largely developed through its work at Trafficmaster which saw the roll out of over 6,000 traffic detection sites in England, Scotland and Wales. For more information on Chargemaster please visit: www.chargemasterplc.com

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