A milestone within the electrical automobile revolution, towards the top of 2021, Hertz introduced it was ordering 100,000 Teslas. That took true management from Hertz, and it’s one thing EV fans have been lengthy ready to see occur (usually talking). Except for 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 rather more fulfilling to drive, so EV fans have at all times seen electrical leases as an excellent technique to promote extra EVs. That mentioned … 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 ensure renters know what they’re doing.

One would suppose that’s what has been taking place, however apparently not. An writer 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, on condition that it has purchased so many Teslas. That is how Mr. Acuff began his Twitter thread: “Yesterday, @Hertz was out of vehicles. They mentioned, ‘All now we have 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 mentioned, ‘In fact.’ They may have simply as simply rented me a seahorse for a way clueless I used to be. (1 of 8)” (I do marvel if he had mentioned “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 except 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on learn how to function a Tesla and having to determine a number of issues through his useful smartphone and good outdated Google. “I needed to google EVERYTHING. I needed to search for ‘How do you activate a Tesla? How do you place a Tesla into drive? How do you open the trunk?’ I had this nightmare that I’d by chance reverse into the 200 individuals who have been in line me behind me ready for a automobile. (2 of 8)” I get it — it’s a brand new sort of car 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 work out learn how to flip it on. Nevertheless, I feel 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 a giant image of the automobile on the touchscreen, and there are the phrases “Trunk Open” and “Frunk Open” with traces subsequent to them which are fairly clearly indicating that when you faucet them on the display, the trunk or frunk will open. Additionally, the DNRB stalk shouldn’t be a lot totally different from the stalk different vehicles, and you may simply have a look at it and see what to do. I feel.

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 understand the one) after which faux I knew learn how to cost it. Each different Tesla proprietor there might inform I used to be a poseur.” Supercharging shouldn’t be arduous. Actually, it’s so ridiculously straightforward that it throws some folks off. You again the automobile as much as the charger (which is apparent since each Tesla there can be backed up subsequent to the charger they’re utilizing). Then you definitely simply take the plug and plug it into your automobile. The remaining is computerized. No playing cards, no beginning the session, nothing — simply plug in. Now, I do know this isn’t fully intuitive. Individuals usually suppose they should do extra, and I’ve helped a handful of recent homeowners and renters (no less than one Hertz renter) at a Supercharger to point out them this. Nonetheless, this couldn’t be easier except 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)” Whenever you put your vacation spot into the navigation, it tells you the share cost you need to get there with, and if it’s worthwhile to Supercharge on the best way, Tesla will robotically add the cease for you. Once more, it’s so easy and handy that it’s arduous to see the way it might be simpler. However maybe a brand new driver doesn’t discover the share the automobile can be at on arrival, or maybe the motive force speeds rather a lot and burns up vary extra rapidly, then you could possibly have an issue. One mustn’t have to show off the AC (and that’s not going to assist a fantastic deal anyway) to get to their vacation spot in a Tesla. It’s not 2013. Although, I suppose, when you simply acquired in a Tesla for the primary time at Hertz and drove off, you could possibly find yourself in this type of irritating scenario earlier than studying how good and simple the Tesla navigation system is.

The general level is obvious: if Hertz is renting a Tesla (or any EV) to somebody who has by no means pushed one earlier than, they need to remember to present them core fundamentals of the automobile, charging, and navigation. Maybe only a printed & laminated rationalization of these items sitting within the vehicles can be the perfect resolution. Additionally, going again to the start, in case you are 100% new to a Tesla, possibly it’s finest to not say “In fact” when requested if you know the way 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 learn how to flip considered one of these on?’ He checked out me like I used to be churning my very own butter. ‘In fact’ he mentioned. ‘Tremendous. Take this seahorse and see the way it goes.’ I mentioned. (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 “In fact.” However I’d wager a stable amount of money the valet knew precisely learn how to function the Tesla and thought of it tremendous straightforward 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? In all probability. There are only a few staple items to share, whether or not nose to nose or with a laminated “ …” card within the automobile. Higher protected than sorry, and higher to make the client let you know “Dude, I’m high-quality” fairly than assume she or he is aware of learn how to function the automobile.