Popular airport rental car firm Hertz has been working alongside Hotel chain Marriott for 30 years to unite weary travelers with a set of wheels while they’re away from home -- but now visitors to San Francisco can opt to rent an electric car from the San Francisco Airport Marriott Waterfront any time of the day or night.
In a partnership which it says is the first of its kind in San Francisco, Hertz will be offering by-the hour electric car rentals using its Hertz On Demand service both at the Marriott Waterfront and its downtown Mason Street location.
As an incentive, guests at the Marriott Hotel who choose to rent an electric car during their stay will benefit from free valet parking and free electric car charging. Even guests without a room can join in -- provided they dine in either the hotel’s Flights 101 lounge or Hangar Steak restaurant.
Smart Electric Drive at Hertz Global EV rental launch, New York City, December 2010
Rental prices range from $6 to $8 per hour, and guests can currently choose from a 2011 Nissan Leaf or 2011 Smart ForTwo Electric drive.
While this may be the first time Hertz has offered electric car rentals in San Francisco, it isn’t a stranger to electric cars, with electric car rental schemes already in existence in New York City, and London, England -- and plans to launch electric car rentals in China very soon.
As we’ve said before, if you’re looking to buy an electric car, renting one for a few hours could be a great way of checking out your potential purchase without any annoying, pushing salespeople.
Not only that, but sometimes the scenery is just too good to miss.
[Hertz, Marriott Hotels & Resorts
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