Hertz on Demand Signs Memorandum of Understanding to Operate Electric Vehicle Car Sharing Club in Oxford, England

LONDON, May 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The Hertz Corporation (NYSE: HTZ) has announced that Hertz On Demand, Hertz's global car sharing club, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chargemaster plc, the UK's premier supplier of electric vehicle charging solutions. The parties are in discussions to launch the operation of an electric vehicle (EV) car share scheme in Oxford, England.

The program is designed to appeal to residents, visitors, and business people, who will be able to reserve and drive a conveniently located electric vehicle by the hour, day or week from http://www.hertzondemand.co.uk. The hourly rates will start from £5 (pounds sterling) and include in-car access to the Member Care Center, insurance, roadside assistance, maintenance, and cleaning. Membership in Hertz On Demand is free and will entitle members to use the operator's other car clubs in the US, Europe and China.  

Michel Taride, President, Hertz International, and Executive Vice President, Hertz Corporation said: "We are pleased to support Oxford's commitment to sustainable transport solutions for residents and visitors alike. We look forward to launching the Hertz On Demand electric vehicle car club in Oxford, which will make use of the high density charging network installed by Chargemaster plc along with specially dedicated parking bays provided by the city.  Electric vehicles are fun and exciting to drive, and the growing EV eco-system in Oxford should help encourage their use."

The plan is that initially ten Nissan LEAFs will be available and situated in university campuses, street locations, station car parks, major employers' car parks and other strategic locations across the city and surrounding areas. The club cars will be recharged via the POLAR charging network for Oxford, which has 32 charging points operating in key locations throughout the city, with another 28 under construction. The charging network is supported by the Oxford Electric Vehicle Partnership (OEVP) led by Oxford Brookes University.

The Oxford charging network is part of the national electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure known as POLAR, and currently being rolled out by Chargemaster Plc.

"This fantastic investment in Oxford's low-carbon future brings electric cars within reach for thousands of Oxford people. The Chargemaster Plc and Hertz link-up is excellent news for jobs and for the environment. The POLAR network is a vote of confidence in Oxford's future prosperity," commented Oxford Cllr John Tanner.

Hertz On Demand utilises the latest in technology to further provide superior customer service. Upon making an online reservation, each member receives an email confirmation as well as a text message indicating the reserved car's license plate and location. To unlock and engage the vehicle, members simply need to swipe their membership device over the car's radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader.  In car, a hands-free audio kit connects members to a Member Care Center representative should they have questions, need assistance or need to extend their rental. The in-car technology also enables Hertz On Demand to 'communicate' with the vehicle enabling representatives to unlock, engage and locate vehicles.  

Hertz is the first global rental car company to provide electric vehicles across three continents and offers the most diverse range of EV's on the market. As part of its Global EV mobility platform, Hertz is forming partnerships with automakers, charging-station providers, municipalities, nongovernment organizations, corporations and other stakeholders to promote electric options and infrastructure development.  

About Hertz On Demand

Hertz On Demand has more than 800 vehicles available to drive from more than 250 locations worldwide, including 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 Center communication.  For more information, or to register, visit http://www.hertzondemand.com or http://www.hertzondemand.co.uk, or call Member Care Services at 877-654-4400 in the US or 08708-45-45-45 in the UK.

About Hertz

Hertz is the world's largest general use car rental company, operating from over 8,500 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 Oxford Brookes

Oxford Brookes University's Sustainable Vehicle Engineering Centre (SVEC) is leading electric vehicle research in the UK and Europe and helping to establish a self-sustaining market for low carbon vehicles. Set in a historic student city, Oxford Brookes is one of the UK's leading modern universities and enjoys an international reputation for teaching excellence and innovation as well as strong links with business and industry.