Hertz plans to add 500 units of the Renault range to its fleet over the next two years across Europe. The partnership will form part of the European development of Hertz’s Global Electric Vehicle Program, launched in December 2010. The Hertz program is designed to bring a variety of electric vehicles to the general public.

As the world’s largest general-use airport car-rental brand, Hertz is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers—urban drivers, university students, travellers and corporations—to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As part of this strategy, Hertz is forming partnerships with manufacturers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGOs, corporations and other stakeholders.

During the next several months, Hertz Global EV will leverage the company’s rental and car sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations, and tap into its technology—including fleet management tools and the consumer-facing NeverLost GPS system—to help form an EV grid.