Is Tesla Model 3 A Perfect Rental Car? Real-Life Experience Renting One From Hertz

Hertz made a bold move back in October 2021 when they announced their decision to order 100,000 Tesla Model 3s. One year later, people across the country have access to these popular electric vehicles as an option for rental or Uber rides.

Thanks to Hertz’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, customers now have greater control over their car rental options and a more eco-friendly way to get around town.

Hertz made waves throughout the automotive industry in 2021 when they announced their ambitious plan to electrify their rental car fleet with the purchase of 100,000 Tesla Model 3 vehicles.

The effort included one of the largest purchases of electric cars in history and set a new standard for ecological responsibility among rental companies if not just a boom sale for Tesla.

Recently, Hertz even added Model Y vehicles to the order to make their fleet even more special. Let’s find out more about renting Tesla Model 3.

Hertz & Tesla Deal

Hertz initially announced that they would add 100,000 Tesla vehicles to their rental car fleet by the end of 2022. However, later on, it was revealed that the timeline may have been a bit ambitious, and Tesla itself seemed to remain unconvinced.

In its annual filings for 2022, Hertz reported having around 48,344 Tesla electric vehicles in its fleet – far short of the original target. Nevertheless, this still represented a significant effort to reduce emissions and move towards an entirely electrified fleet.

Hertz reported in September that it has been experiencing strong demand for its Tesla cars, confirming a trend that appeared to fly in the face of social media opinion.

Despite what some users may have posted on their platforms, the car rental company said that people had been clamouring to get behind the wheel of one of its Teslas. According to the latest news of Hertz going the electric route on huge demand is the fact that they have placed a massive order with GM as well.

Tesla Model 3 Rental From Hertz

Andrew Kunesh works for The Points Guy and is an avid lover of electric cars. He decided to give a try to the Hertz Tesla renting services across the states. In his review, he gave explicit details of how was the Tesla renting experience for him.

He says that he was searching for the Tesla Model 3 but wasn’t able to find one for most dates a year ago in several locations. More because at that point in time, there was a bit of scarcity of getting a Tesla Model 3.

However, now with the latest deal with Tesla, Hertz has plenty of Model3s and Model Ys in its fleet at various locations around the US.

The Model 3 is setting the automotive bar higher than ever, and its instant popularity has made it incredibly difficult to come by. It appears that the demand for these cars will remain high in the near future, with rental costs being expensive as a result.

With the current shortage of automobile parts worldwide, it is quite challenging for both rental companies and individual customers to purchase cars at this time with ongoing delays. This only adds fuel to the fire when it comes to predicting upcoming rental car availability.

He further explains how he managed to book one in Oklahoma City and how his experience goes after he managed to book it.

Real-Life Experience Renting Tesla

Andrews arrived at the Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City on the day of his rental booking. He took a bus to get to the Hertz rentals counter in the rental services lot. He found his name listed on the Hertz Gold customer’s list and the parking space address next to his name.

A grey-coloured Tesla Model 3 was sitting right in its designated spot mentioned in his name on the board. Andrew, a member of the Hertz Gold Rewards President Circle, was pleased to find the car with a Gold Standard Clean sticker assuring the vehicle is sanitized and all clean.

Andrew mentions the Tesla he got had only 1,077 miles on it and even had a 90% charge when he first got inside the car.

The Tesla keycard kept inside the centre console made all the EV-rental feel automated and minimalistic. Andrew said the whole pickup process was smooth except for the fact that there was some confusion with the person checking cars out which was soon resolved.

Drive Feel

Andrew spent the next hour after picking up his rented Tesla Model 3 roaming around the city in circles. He enjoys driving the base variant of the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus. He said that the driving feel is amazing especially when merging on the highway at the quick 5.3 second 0 to 60mph the instant speed essentially pins you to your seat.

Electric cars offer a unique benefit when it comes to acceleration – an instant response with no lag when you press the accelerator. This is due to the simpler design of electric motors, which lack the gears, moving parts, and other components found in traditional internal combustion engines.

With electric cars, energy is quickly transferred from the battery directly to your wheels so you can go faster without any delay. He further talks about regenerative breaking and different stopping modes.

The car won’t move when you come to a stop. However, Andrew likes it this way and says if you’d prefer a more conventional driving experience, you can switch to another stopping mode. He goes on to explain how easy, engaging, and convenient he found the overall driving experience.

Charging

Nowadays, electric cars are all the rage. People are buzzing about their advanced features and capabilities like self-driving, range, and more. But even if those features check all the boxes for you, the charging infrastructure is often the most important factor in whether or not an EV is a good fit for your lifestyle.

Tesla Supercharger charging stations have been popping up everywhere, so finding one shouldn’t be too difficult while on the go. At home, there are many options available to make sure that your car battery is ready to go when you need it.

Andrew explains that charging an EV is not actually as intimidating as it might sound to people, and he was able to get the hang of it soon. Tesla already has over 40,000 Superchargers around the globe and the major chunk of this number is in the US.

Charging your 2021 Tesla Model 3 is a fast and efficient process, able to reach 50% in just 16 minutes and 80% in 32 minutes according to InsideEV’s tests. He said the charging app is quite easy too, making it convenient to charge your Tesla.

This makes road trips enjoyable and stress-free since you’ll always have plenty of range with the Model 3 Standard Range Plus boasting an EPA-rated 267 miles per charge. Even better, when it’s time to charge your car, you can get out and stretch your legs, enjoy a snack, or even stream your favourite series’ episode on Netflix.

With its large infotainment screen, you can easily monitor the charge status of your electric car. Knowing exactly how much time is left until the next charge allows you to plan your journey with ease.

The built-in GPS also shows all available charging points near you, as well as those along the route to your destination, meaning you’ll never have to worry about running out of juice during the trip!

Storage

The Tesla Model 3 is the perfect car for any traveller. With ample storage space in both the trunk and frunk, you can store two suitcases plus a backpack in the trunk, while a backpack and an additional small bag fit comfortably in the frunk.

Whether it’s for vacationing or going to work, travelling with the Model 3 makes it easy to transport your items. He further adds details about how meticulously small storage details are thought out inside the EV. However, he mentions the glove box being locked and how he was not given the four-digit code by the rental company.

The Tesla sedan offers a spacious interior with plenty of room in both the front and back seats. It’s comparable to other sedans in terms of comfort, but it’s elevated by its use of vegan “leather” upholstery that feels luxurious and premium.

He says that you’ll soon forget you’re not actually sitting on real leather while you’re driving.

Features

Andrew lists all the good features he felt made the Tesla Model 3 an exceptional car. He goes on to explain everything in detail, and here are some from his top list:

• Tesla Model 3 and its plethora of in-car storage, incredible infotainment system, and first-rate driving experience, this vehicle solves a lot of issues that people have with standard sedans.
• Plenty of storage options inside the car cabin.
• Plenty of ways to charge your phone in the EV including a wireless charging pad.
• The 15-inch touchscreen works like an iPad housing every detail from navigation to the speedometer.
• Built-in GPS and Google Maps help you get essential details like live traffic and locations of charging stations.
• Enjoy web browsers and games to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, you’ll never get bored while parked at a charging station.

From its plush interior to its sleek exterior, this car is certainly at the top of the list for many who are looking for a comfortable ride. Whether it’s for daily errands or long road trips, this sedan takes the hassle out of your journeys.

Autopilot

The Tesla Model 3’s Autopilot system is a great feature that keeps you safe on the road. It will keep your car within its lane and automatically adjust cruise control as needed based on the car in front of it. You can also set a maximum speed, so you don’t have to worry about exceeding the speed limit.

To use Autopilot, however, you do have to keep your hands on the wheel at all times; otherwise, an alert will notify you if your hands are off for a long period of time. Sadly, rental cars with Hertz do not include full self-driving capability yet, meaning that these cars cannot follow GPS and drive themselves from point A to point B completely independently.

Is It Better To Rent EVs?

Buying a new car can be a big decision. It often comes with modifying your lifestyle and better suitability for your travel needs. But if you’re thinking of buying an electric vehicle (EV), then you might want to think twice before making the purchase.

After all, electric cars come with their own set of considerations and requirements, but being able to rent a Tesla EV from Hertz can help you sort out those problems well.

One important factor to consider is that electric vehicles require special charging stations, and many routes have limited access to them. For this reason, it’s best to do a bit of research before buying an EV to make sure that your preferred route will accommodate the needs of your vehicle.

Buying or leasing an electric vehicle (EV) can be a tough decision. But if you’re not sure, renting one is definitely a smart choice. By taking an extended test drive of the car, you’ll have the chance to get comfortable with the new technology and find out if it’s right for you. That way, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to buy or lease your EV.

What To Expect In The Future?

Andrew was driving a BMW i3 before and seems to be loving all the features Tesla EVs have to offer.

When weighing the pros and cons of purchasing an EV, it’s important to do thorough research and be aware of any potential drawbacks such as long-term maintenance costs or a limited range between charges. Conveniently renting an EV beforehand could be beneficial when determining exactly what sort of car fits into your lifestyle best.

Renting a Tesla EV is a great way to experience the convenience and efficiency of driving an EV. By using it as your daily driver for a week, you can really get a sense of how it fits into your lifestyle. You’ll be able to test out its range, powerful torque, one-pedal driving, and all the other features that come with an electric vehicle.

Tesla Model 3 is well celebrated for its power and range but be warned—driving styles can have an effect on the range. If you’re aggressive with the accelerator you may find yourself running low on power more quickly than anticipated.

The car rental industry has been slowly recovering from the pandemic-induced shortage of vehicles, which led to some of the highest rates in history for renting a car. Now customers are noticing the return of availability and more competitive prices.

Along with that, there have been new and improved technologies added to car rental services, making them more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. While prices may not be quite as low as they were pre-pandemic in many cities, they have returned to a much more reasonable level.

The easy availability of getting Tesla EVs on rent can be a game-changer for many as they get to try the electric versions without the waiting time and paying for the vehicle in full.

Hertz has set its sights high, aiming to become synonymous with electric vehicle rental. With EV adoption quickly on the rise, their ambition could soon become a reality.

The company sees itself as an instrumental part of the future of sustainable transport and is striving to make EV rentals accessible for everyone. By investing in new technologies and making EVs more widely available, Hertz is on track to becoming a pioneer in the industry.

Bottomline

If you’re dreaming of getting behind the wheel of a Tesla but haven’t had the opportunity yet, you may want to consider renting one on your next trip. Hertz has recently made them available in major metropolitan areas across the US, and Andrew mentions that he has personally seen them offered as rental cars in cities like Atlanta, Orlando, Miami, and more.

Although it might cost a bit more than renting a regular ICE sedan, it is definitely worth it to experience the feeling of driving what many consider to be the future. Renting an EV for a short period of time is a great option so that you can get a better feel for how the car handles on different roads and in different conditions.

While up-front costs of EVs might look higher, there are some advantages like government incentives and incentives from energy companies which may reduce costs over time significantly.

When it comes to rental electric vehicles, the possibilities are endless. You can now access a range of features while on the road that makes the driving experience even more enjoyable. With electric cars becoming more popular every day, these convenient options are sure to make your journey much more pleasurable and efficient.

With recent investment plans to order up to 175,000 electric vehicles from GM over the next five years and 100,000 from Tesla. Hertz also reached a deal with BP to expand their electric charging station network in support of the new vehicles.

With these robust agreements in place, Hertz will be well on its way to making a major commitment to sustainable travel options for consumers.

The age of renting a car is in full swing, with web searches in the past year skyrocketing by 2,850%, according to Semrush. If you’re looking for affordable car rentals, there has never been a better time to find it!