Hertz Now Offers Electric Bicycle Rentals! (in London)

June 25th, 2011 by Zachary Shahan

You know electric bikes are getting somewhere when rental car agencies like Hertz start offering them instead of cars. Hertz has actually been trying to develop and show a green side lately — it’s made a number of announcements about solar installations on its facilities. But I didn’t expect it to get into the electric bicycle arena.

The option to rent electric bikes is currently only available in London, but perhaps of things go well, the company will expand the offer (maybe even to the U.S.). The bikes are Ultra Motor electric bicycles. The models it’s offering are the Fast4ward Edge and A2B Hybrid 24 models, which can go up to 15.5mph, and the cost is £ 20 ($32) a day.

12 bikes are currently in the garage at Hertz’s Marble Arch location. In addition to the bikes, customers get “full training, a lock, optional helmet and a copy of the AA Leisure Guide to London with suggested bike rides around the capital.”

Here’s more from the news release on the bikes themselves:

The Fast4ward Edge is a folding bike which offers the choice of using throttle and cruise power or to pedal, while the A2B Hybrid 24 has a sensor that detects the amount of pedalling and applies power in tune with that pace. Both models provide a fun and safe way to explore London in the fresh air, allowing riders to cover more ground than on foot or using a traditional pedal bike….

The Fast4ward Edge will assist up to 25 miles and the A2B 24 electric battery will assist for up to 40 miles, depending on the rider’s weight and luggage. Bikes are supplied fully charged and a charger will be supplied with all rentals. If the bike needs to be recharged it can simply be plugged into any mains socket.

12 bikes? Well, it’s a step in the right direction. Competing with normal bike rental companies and London’s bike-sharing program may make entry in this general market difficult. I’m curious to see how this goes.

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.