© Polestar
Showcasing the Electric Car
Putting action behind the idea that increased access to electric vehicles will help improve EV adoption rates, Polestar — the electrified performance brand from Volvo — has joined with Hertz to put the auto brand’s premium electric vehicles into rental car fleets around the world. Not only will this move help Hertz with its plans to become more environmentally responsible, it will also provide excellent exposure for the growing Polestar brand.
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© Polestar
Rental EVs
“We are excited to partner with Polestar and look forward to introducing their premium EV products into our retail and rideshare fleets,” said Hertz CEO Stephen Scherr. “Today’s partnership with Polestar further builds on our ambition to become a leading participant in the modern mobility ecosystem and doing so as an environmentally-forward company. By working with EV industry leaders like Polestar, we can help accelerate the adoption of electrification while providing renters, corporate customers and rideshare partners a premium EV product, exceptional experience and lower carbon footprint.”
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© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 will be the initial offering at Hertz rental counters. The rental company plans to purchase 65,000 Polestar EVs globally over the next five years. Designed as a 5-door fastback, the Polestar 2 rides on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture platform that integrates the battery pack into the floor for improved chassis rigidity and reductions in noise, vibration and harshness.
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© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Dual or Single Motor
Polestar 2 launched in 2021 with a dual-motor version — one powering each axle — to create four-wheel drive. Total system output for the dual-motor Polestar 2 is 408 horsepower. The single-motor front-wheel-drive version gets 231 horsepower and has a range up to 270 miles.
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© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
Android Integration
The Polestar 2 is one of the first vehicles on the road with infotainment built on an Android operating system. Accessed via a standard 11-inch vertical touchscreen display, the system features embedded Google services such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store. Logging in with a personal Google account seamlessly integrates map favorites, Spotify playlists and other streaming services — convenient for keeping personalization in a rental car.
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© Perry Stern, Automotive Content Experience
First EV Experience
“Polestar is committed to accelerating the move to electric mobility with a fascinating and innovative product portfolio,” said Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath. “We are delighted that Hertz has chosen Polestar as a strategic partner on their road to electrification. The partnership with a global pioneer like Hertz will bring the amazing experience of driving an electric car to a wider audience, satisfying a broad variety of our mutual customers’ short- and longer-term mobility requirements. For many of them it may be the first time they have driven an EV, and it will be a Polestar.”
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© Polestar
Some Education Needed
Getting into a Polestar 2 for the first time will be a different experience for rental customers, so some education will likely be needed. The Polestar 2 automatically recognizes its driver approaching the vehicle and immediately powers up display screens and other systems. Starting the vehicle requires no key turning nor button pushing — simply press the brake and put the car in gear. After arriving at a destination, the driver shifts the car to Park and gets out — the Polestar 2 automatically powers down.
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© Polestar
More to Come
Since the partnership covers five years, Hertz is likely planning to offer future Polestar models in its rental fleet. The new Polestar 3 will be the brand’s first SUV and is expected to debut later this year. A smaller crossover — Polestar 4 — will arrive next year, with the flagship Polestar 5 expected to arrive in 2024.
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© Polestar
Coming This Year
Hertz will begin offering the Polestar 2 in its rental fleets in Europe this spring, with availability in America and Australia later this year.
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