ELECTRIC vehicle drivers can buy used cars for cheap thanks to a rental giant’s new sales effort – but buyers should check the dashboard before making the massive purchase.
Hertz is selling EVs including Teslas and Polestars to its renters for low prices.
Hertz is selling a Tesla Model 3 for under $18,000 (stock image)[/caption]
Hertz is offering drivers the chance to buy their rental cars (stock image)[/caption]
One Redditor shared their account of Hertz offering them a 2023 Tesla Model 3 for just $17,913.
The rental giant approached the customer over email about buying the car, which typically costs at least $40,000 brand new.
“This was a new one for me,” the Reddit user wrote with an image of the email.
“I rent from Hertz…a lot. Got this email today and chuckled a bit.
“Good price for a Tesla with sub 30k miles on it, I guess?”
Hertz is currently selling multiple Model 3s for less than $20,000, but they all have over 130,000 miles.
Drivers should check the mileage on a car before buying to determine if it’s worth the purchase.
Tesla batteries have a warranty period of eight years or 100,000 miles for rear-wheel-drive models.
Battery replacements are some of the most expensive repairs that EV owners face.
Tesla hasn’t responded to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Reddit users weighed in on why Hertz might be selling the Tesla for so cheap – and some think it’s because EVs are unpopular to rent.
“They are slowly getting rid of them, and this is how,” one commenter theorized.
“They have had this for years, but are increasingly going to try to sell cars through their own outlets vs. Other outlets like auctions, etc,” another guessed.
“I think Hertz should try to sell more vehicles this way,” a third wrote.
Electric vehicles vs gas
Pros and cons of EVs vs gasoline-powered vehicles
EV PROS:
- Convenient (when charging at home)
- Cheaper (depending on state or city)
- Cheaper maintenance, due to lack of mechanical parts
- Great for commuting
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Federal and state tax incentives
- More performance (speed, handling – depending on the make and model)
EV CONS:
- Higher initial cost
- Higher insurance rates
- More frequent tire and brake replacement intervals
- Higher curb weight (thus causing more rapid wear on crucial parts)
- Low resale value
- High depreciation rates
- Lack of charging infrastructure
- Unreliable public charging (related: slow charging times)
- Poor winter and summer performance
- Lack of clean energy alternatives means more “dirty energy” from coal and nuclear sources
- Range anxiety
GAS PROS:
- Highly developed refueling infrastructure
- Fast refueling
- Cheaper insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Established repair industry
- Lower initial cost
- Higher range before refueling, especially with hybrids
- Many manufacturers produce nearly emission-less engines
- Cheaper refueling, depending on the location
GAS CONS:
- Finite resource (related: heavy dependence on petroleum)
- Carbon emissions/greenhouse gases
- Higher repair costs
- Higher insurance rates, depending on make, model, and configuration
- Varying costs at the pump, depending on state, city, and county
Source: Car & Driver, Perch Energy, AutoWeek
“With greater sales of vehicles, Hertz would have more opportunities to make use of its ability to obtain volume discounts in purchases to replenish its fleet.”
It’s unclear if the Reddit user has taken Hertz’s offer.
Another Hertz renter in the same Reddit thread said they received a similar email after they rented a Polestar, which is another EV.
The rental company offered the driver the chance to buy the car for $28,500 – which isn’t such a good deal for the car, regardless of the miles on it.
Used Polestar 2s are typically available for under $25,000.
Herz hasn’t responded to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
