Hertz Needs To Tell Consumers More About Driving A Tesla

A milestone within the electrical automobile revolution, towards the tip of 2021, Hertz announced it was ordering 100,000 Teslas. That took true management from Hertz, and it’s one thing EV fans had been lengthy ready to see occur (usually talking). Other than the truth that electrical automobiles are cheaper to function (and the extra one drives in a yr, the extra one saves by going electrical), electrical automobiles are simply way more pleasurable to drive, so EV fans have all the time seen electrical leases as an excellent method to promote extra EVs. That stated … there are some variations in driving electrical versus driving a fuel automobile, or driving a Tesla particularly versus driving a fuel automobile, and a rental automobile firm renting so many Teslas to folks ought to make certain renters know what they’re doing.

One would assume that’s what has been occurring, however apparently not. An creator named Jon Acuff tweeted this week about his expertise renting a Tesla from Hertz and it exhibits particular room for enchancment. Notably, Mr. Acuff didn’t plan to hire a Tesla. However this should be a typical scenario for Hertz, provided that it has purchased so many Teslas. That is how Mr. Acuff started his Twitter thread: “Yesterday, @Hertz was out of automobiles. They stated, ‘All we’ve got is a Tesla. Are you able to drive it?’ I’ve by no means pushed one earlier than however I wanted to go, so I stated, ‘After all.’ They may have simply as simply rented me a seahorse for the way clueless I used to be. (1 of 8)” (I do surprise if he had stated “Possibly,” or “I’ll attempt to determine it out,” if the Hertz rep would have gone forward and defined some issues for him. Although, my assumption is that they wouldn’t until requested.)

Tom Brady on the set of the Hertz “Let’s Go” marketing campaign. Picture courtesy of Hertz.

So, from there, Mr. Acuff describes being principally clueless on easy methods to function a Tesla and having to determine a number of issues by way of his useful smartphone and good previous Google. “I needed to google EVERYTHING. I needed to lookup ‘How do you activate a Tesla? How do you set a Tesla into drive? How do you open the trunk?’ I had this nightmare that I’d by accident reverse into the 200 individuals who had been in line me behind me ready for a automobile. (2 of 8)” I get it — it’s a brand new kind of auto and you’ve got some problem simply studying the fundamentals. I had this occur to me after I rented a BMW within the Netherlands a number of years in the past and couldn’t determine easy methods to flip it on. Nonetheless, I believe some of these items is apparent sufficient that Google shouldn’t be wanted. (Or possibly I’m simply too used to Teslas.) When your automobile is in park, there’s an enormous image of the automobile on the touchscreen, and there are the phrases “Trunk Open” and “Frunk Open” with traces subsequent to them which can be fairly clearly indicating that should you faucet them on the display, the trunk or frunk will open. Additionally, the DNRB stalk isn’t a lot totally different from the stalk different automobiles, and you’ll simply have a look at it and see what to do. I believe.

However, there’s extra. …

Picture courtesy of Hertz.

Later within the thread, Mr. Acuff wrote, “I used to be driving from Nashville to Louisville and the automobile instructed me I wouldn’t make it. I needed to discover a supercharger in Elizabethtown, Kentucky (You already know the one) after which fake I knew easy methods to cost it. Each different Tesla proprietor there might inform I used to be a poseur.” Supercharging isn’t exhausting. In actual fact, it’s so ridiculously simple that it throws some folks off. You again the automobile as much as the charger (which is apparent since each Tesla there will likely be backed up subsequent to the charger they’re utilizing). Then you definately simply take the plug and plug it into your automobile. The remainder is automated. No playing cards, no beginning the session, nothing — simply plug in. Now, I do know this isn’t completely intuitive. Individuals usually assume they should do extra, and I’ve helped a handful of latest house owners and renters (at the least one Hertz renter) at a Supercharger to indicate them this. Nonetheless, this couldn’t be less complicated until the charger plugged itself in if you pulled up.

Then there was the notorious vary nervousness. “I used to be at 16% battery attempting to make it to a charger, so I ended utilizing air-con. I figured which may assist. Is it June the place you reside? As a result of it’s June within the south. Hottest drive ever. I used to be a sweaty, vary nervousness mess by the point I rolled into E-town. (5 of 8)” While you put your vacation spot into the navigation, it tells you the share cost it is best to get there with, and if you should Supercharge on the way in which, Tesla will mechanically add the cease for you. Once more, it’s so easy and handy that it’s exhausting to see the way it might be simpler. However maybe a brand new driver doesn’t discover the share the automobile will likely be at on arrival, or maybe the motive force speeds quite a bit and burns up vary extra rapidly, then you possibly can have an issue. One shouldn’t have to show off the AC (and that’s not going to assist an excellent deal anyway) to get to their vacation spot in a Tesla. It’s not 2013. Although, I suppose, should you simply acquired in a Tesla for the primary time at Hertz and drove off, you possibly can find yourself in this sort of worrying scenario earlier than studying how good and straightforward the Tesla navigation system is.

The general level is evident: if Hertz is renting a Tesla (or any EV) to somebody who has by no means pushed one earlier than, they need to you should definitely present them core fundamentals of the automobile, charging, and navigation. Maybe only a printed & laminated clarification of these items sitting within the automobiles could be the most effective answer. Additionally, going again to the start, if you’re 100% new to a Tesla, possibly it’s finest to not say “After all” when requested if you understand how to drive it.

Picture courtesy of Hertz.

On the finish of the Twitter thread, Mr. Acuff relays what occurs when he will get to the lodge. “After I lastly made it to Louisville and valeted it on the lodge, I requested the child, ‘Have you learnt easy methods to flip one in every of these on?’ He checked out me like I used to be churning my very own butter. ‘After all’ he stated. ‘Fantastic. Take this seahorse and see the way it goes.’ I stated. (8 of 8)” I’m not 100% clear right here if he thinks the valet would have any points with the automobile, like he himself had after saying “After all.” However I’d guess a stable amount of money the valet knew precisely easy methods to function the Tesla and regarded it tremendous simple and intuitive.

Ought to Hertz do higher to make sure Tesla renters or different EV renters know what they’re doing earlier than they go away with a automobile? Most likely. There are only a few basic items to share, whether or not nose to nose or with a laminated “Find out how to …” card within the automobile. Higher secure than sorry, and higher to make the shopper let you know “Dude, I’m positive” moderately than assume she or he is aware of easy methods to function the automobile.