Hertz Electrifies program launches in Denver

Rental car company Hertz Global Holdings has launched the Hertz Electrifies program — an initiative in partnership with U.S. city mayors aimed at streamlining the transition to electric vehicles.

The program consists of "five pillars," according to a statement released Thursday, including bolstering EV fleet numbers and charging infrastructure, education and job creation, expansive economic opportunity, community engagement and city planning analysis.

The role of EVs in the future of transportation is "why Hertz is investing in the largest electric vehicle rental fleet in North America," Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr said in the statement. The fleet includes Tesla, Polestar and General Motors models.

Hertz Electrifies is launching in Denver in partnership with Mayor Michael Hancock, bringing up to 5,200 EV rentals to the city and installing a mix of Level 2 and EV fast-charging stations at Denver International Airport and Hertz locations. The Denver arm of the program is a partnership site with BP Pulse, supporting the installation of public-access EV chargers in neighborhoods in the city.

Ride-share drivers will be able to make use of the program as part of its goal to expand economic opportunities, renting "electric vehicles with flexible contracts," according to the statement.

Additional elements of the program include community engagement, with the goal of increasing access to EVs and other vehicles in underserved areas, and support for educational opportunities in the EV field. This includes a partnership with the Denver Youth Employment program to offer summer jobs, as well as EVs, training and supplies for the auto certificate program at a local technical high school.

Through Hertz Electrifies, partnering cities will have access to telematics data from the Hertz fleet to use in charging infrastructure planning.