Car rental equivalent
Discussion
I booked a "Premium Elite Crossover - X5 or equivalent". My confirmation says "Guaranteed Tesla Model Y LR 270 miles"
Are they equivalent?
Also, having an electric vehicle is not ideal as I will be driving 200 miles to my accommodation. I did research and find that the LR version does over 300 miles so the first trip is covered. However, there is no charging at the accommodation. There is a charging station 1 mile away. I could conceivably use that but I believe I can't leave the car their over night.
The other potential issue is that I can't return it full. I assumed there would be no charge for that. It turns out, I have to pay £35 for them to charge it. That just seems like a 10% surcharge. Yes, I return ICE cars full but that's because I can refill them in seconds. If I charge the car at Heathrow it will put me into another 24 hour period and cost me a load more for sitting around doing nothing.
I am pro electric vehicle but this is the reason why I am not ready for an electric vehicle to be my only car.
Are they equivalent?
Also, having an electric vehicle is not ideal as I will be driving 200 miles to my accommodation. I did research and find that the LR version does over 300 miles so the first trip is covered. However, there is no charging at the accommodation. There is a charging station 1 mile away. I could conceivably use that but I believe I can't leave the car their over night.
The other potential issue is that I can't return it full. I assumed there would be no charge for that. It turns out, I have to pay £35 for them to charge it. That just seems like a 10% surcharge. Yes, I return ICE cars full but that's because I can refill them in seconds. If I charge the car at Heathrow it will put me into another 24 hour period and cost me a load more for sitting around doing nothing.
I am pro electric vehicle but this is the reason why I am not ready for an electric vehicle to be my only car.
This is for London Heathrow, driving up to the border of Yorkshire and then returning. I bet I only need 30 miles of range outside of the trip up and back. My accommodation is 16 miles away from a supercharger which is on the other side of Manchester.
I’m in two minds as to if I take the Tesla. I’m sure I can make it work but I think it’s going to be a frustration. I don’t think the novelty is worth the faff. I don’t think an electric car can be considered equivalent in this case. Also, if behind the rate it’s “Guaranteed Tesla” why say it’s a BMW X5 on the booking form? It’s obvious to me why. No one is renting them if they say “Tesla”. I 100% would not have selected it.
I’m in two minds as to if I take the Tesla. I’m sure I can make it work but I think it’s going to be a frustration. I don’t think the novelty is worth the faff. I don’t think an electric car can be considered equivalent in this case. Also, if behind the rate it’s “Guaranteed Tesla” why say it’s a BMW X5 on the booking form? It’s obvious to me why. No one is renting them if they say “Tesla”. I 100% would not have selected it.
abzmike said:
Whenever I hire a car the selection process seems to be picking whatever is around the lot. I’m sure they’ll be able to accommodate if you don’t want electric. Is this for the US? There will likely be a stack of big SUVs to pick from.
I hope they can accommodate me at the counter. I was wondering if it was more of an uphill battle now they have guaranteed a Tesla. brickwall said:
A Model Y is absolutely not an “equivalent” to an X5!
The EV equivalent would be a Model X.
Aside from it being an EV, it’s definitely a smaller, cheaper class below - competitor to an X3.
I’d say the models in the “equivalent” category to an X5 would be Audi Q7, Merc GLE, Cayenne, Discovery, Range Roger Sport, or possibly a Lexus RX.
My thoughts were a MY LR wasn’t equivalent to an X5. I feel like this has been a bait and switch. We shall see what the do with my free upgrade through being presidents circle (what a load of tosh). The EV equivalent would be a Model X.
Aside from it being an EV, it’s definitely a smaller, cheaper class below - competitor to an X3.
I’d say the models in the “equivalent” category to an X5 would be Audi Q7, Merc GLE, Cayenne, Discovery, Range Roger Sport, or possibly a Lexus RX.
Avis tried to upgrade me from an E class to a GLA once. I ended up with an A6 because they didn’t have an E class. The A6 was parked next to 2 E-class Mercs.
Update…
The accommodation has installed EV charge points. What does that mean? I looked and 3 pin charging would take 40 hours. But, I assume a dedicated charger would be quicker. Any indication of how quick?
Also, a review said it was flat rate only and not to use unless it was an emergency. What does that mean? I read it is the cost of electricity but does it mean I’m paying £80 a charge? If it’s a little more and I can refill the battery over night. I don’t mind. If it is lots more, or I need 40 hours to charge the it’s a no go for me.
The accommodation has installed EV charge points. What does that mean? I looked and 3 pin charging would take 40 hours. But, I assume a dedicated charger would be quicker. Any indication of how quick?
Also, a review said it was flat rate only and not to use unless it was an emergency. What does that mean? I read it is the cost of electricity but does it mean I’m paying £80 a charge? If it’s a little more and I can refill the battery over night. I don’t mind. If it is lots more, or I need 40 hours to charge the it’s a no go for me.
abzmike said:
Call ahead if you’re concerned… the guys at the depot I used a couple of weeks back (Enterprise) were very helpful, and very keen to get a good review…
That’s good to know. Avis at Heathrow see it as a competition to see how s
t a car they can give out. I mentioned before I got an A6 after they tried to “upgrade” me to a GLA (that was a cost upgrade). The A6 was scratched all over and had 40k miles. I am convinced it’s because I often pick up cars in the dark so they try and get the crap cars out. The annoying thing is, I’m Avis Presidential plus blah blah blah. The highest level. You would think they would try to make me happy. I’m not alone, I’ve seen others begging just to get the car level they had booked. I remember asking about the complementary two level upgrade. I was met with a very terse “one level and at our discretion”. I ended up with a GLB having paid for an e-class.
Whataguy said:
Bill said:
Whataguy said:
I’d be wary of an electric, hertz doesn’t guarantee that it will be fully charged.
WTAF?!? That's bonkers. If they're going to hire out EVs then they should install a fast charger at the depot. And there's a fee for returning it with less charge than when you picked it up too.
https://images.hertz.com/pdfs/ENGB_EV_RENTAL_TERMS...
This has been very useful. I wondered if I was being an anti EV dinosaur based on my initial response. I think I mentioned earlier I am considering a Taycan but would have to run it alongside my Cayenne for the reasons highlighted in this thread.
The Tesla rate is $56/day which isn’t cheap. It was a great price for the X5 though. I don’t have reason to be suspicious of the bait and switch though because it’s a heavily discounted rate through a combination of work and other benefits. I routinely get up to 90% off rental cars.
I count myself as “EV curious” but this is a failure. It’s going to be a massive pain in the ass and cost me more than a petrol car for fuel because of the limitations of the infrastructure.
The Tesla rate is $56/day which isn’t cheap. It was a great price for the X5 though. I don’t have reason to be suspicious of the bait and switch though because it’s a heavily discounted rate through a combination of work and other benefits. I routinely get up to 90% off rental cars.
I count myself as “EV curious” but this is a failure. It’s going to be a massive pain in the ass and cost me more than a petrol car for fuel because of the limitations of the infrastructure.
Imasurv said:
If you’re heading up the m1 or m6 there are plenty of opportunities at motorway services to charge with a rapid charger whilst you stretch your legs and pay a visit. I’d get north of Birmingham and charge up and same halfway down on the way back. Shouldn’t need more than 20-30 mins and you’ll have charge for the rest of the trip. Register with Tesla to use the superchargers, they aren’t (comparatively) expensive,
I am swaying back and forth about giving it a try. But, you have reminded me of a nightmare I had on one of my visits. Both the M1 and M6 were closed. . As was the M56. Unbelievably, all planned! The UK has 2 motorways that head North and they closed both at the same time for roadworks. Oddly, due to timing I am sure, Waze and google maps did not know this. I spent hours following diversion signs while Waze and google maps tried to get me back on closed motorways. There is zero chance I could have done that in an EV as a newbie.Every time I do this trip I get the car and stop at the same service station to eat Greggs. No need to fill up, just grab food and go. 5 minutes. I head up to my destination 200 miles later. I potter about visiting friends and family over the course of a week and head South back to the airport. It is only on my return journey that I have to fill up. I think I have done my first fill at the airport.
With a Tesla, using their numbers I will only have a buffer of 16 miles for the first trip. Realistically, I will have to stop at Woodall services. I see it is only 15 minutes for 162 miles so not that bad. Another 50 miles to my destination. If we assume no charging at my destination I would have a balance of 60 miles to get me back to the same super charger on my way home. I can work with that. Stop at Newport for 15 minutes and then 15 minutes at Heathrow. It can be done but it doesn't feel like something I want to do.
Also, I am not convinced the model Y is equivalent to the X5 I booked and that might be the sticking point. A Taycan I could see but not a Model Y.
Here is the update…
Landed in Heathrow this morning and through security within seconds. Contemplated having a shower but thought I was doing so well on time I decided to go to collect the car.
Got on the shuttle and that’s where things started to unfold. The driver was amazingly nice and I have to give credit to him.
However, on the short journey I happened to over hear an elderly couple. The husband was near tears. He kept saying “I don’t know how I dis it. I’m sure o didn’t rent and electric car.” His wife was looking at the booking form and confirmed they had an EV. They were beside themselves because they had a lot of driving and were unfamiliar with the technology.
I apologized for over hearing their conversation but wanted them both to know it wasn’t the husbands fault. I had booked a petrol car and was confirmed with an electric car. That’s when the entire shuttle joined and said they had all got bait and switched.
We got to the rental building and when the doors opened we were overwhelmed by the noise. 30+ groups, couples or families, and everyone was complaining about the bait and switch
When it was my turn I told them I was in a similar situation and wanted what I had paid for. I pointed out the Volvo XC90 and said that would do. The guy behind the desk was rude and defensive. He said “I’m not going to quote you for that as you will hold it against me”. Clearly he had been dealing with this all day, everyday.
I conceded and said, “OK I will take the Tesla and make it work”.
“Right, we have a model 3 for you today as we don’t have any Model Ys”.
“Nope, when you run out of the booked vehicle you upgrade!”
I’m the highest level of rewards member so asked of that could help.
“Nope”
I ended up with an XC60 hybrid. I notice they were careful not to mention the hybrid part just in case. It’s new and not a bad car. It’s not the X5 I booked but UK rental car companies are terrible for giving what US customers book. I don’t know why but it’s always a fight.
I was polite throughout, but they have clearly had to deal with a lot of frustrated customers.
Now, here’s the rub. Hertz wrote off $400M in the last quarter due to EVs not being rented. They are dumping Tesla as a manufacturer. Clearly, to boost their numbers they are bait and switching everyone.
It’s a real shame they have taken this approach. I count myself as EV curious and have been negotiating the purchase of a Taycan. When I was leaving Hertz I saw a Taycan getting dropped off. I’d have jumped at that and dealt with the downsides of doing 240+ mile trip to the middle of nowhere. Ironically, my XC60 is plugged in charging the battery as the Airbnb has a slow charger and I figured I’d give it a go.
Landed in Heathrow this morning and through security within seconds. Contemplated having a shower but thought I was doing so well on time I decided to go to collect the car.
Got on the shuttle and that’s where things started to unfold. The driver was amazingly nice and I have to give credit to him.
However, on the short journey I happened to over hear an elderly couple. The husband was near tears. He kept saying “I don’t know how I dis it. I’m sure o didn’t rent and electric car.” His wife was looking at the booking form and confirmed they had an EV. They were beside themselves because they had a lot of driving and were unfamiliar with the technology.
I apologized for over hearing their conversation but wanted them both to know it wasn’t the husbands fault. I had booked a petrol car and was confirmed with an electric car. That’s when the entire shuttle joined and said they had all got bait and switched.
We got to the rental building and when the doors opened we were overwhelmed by the noise. 30+ groups, couples or families, and everyone was complaining about the bait and switch
When it was my turn I told them I was in a similar situation and wanted what I had paid for. I pointed out the Volvo XC90 and said that would do. The guy behind the desk was rude and defensive. He said “I’m not going to quote you for that as you will hold it against me”. Clearly he had been dealing with this all day, everyday.
I conceded and said, “OK I will take the Tesla and make it work”.
“Right, we have a model 3 for you today as we don’t have any Model Ys”.
“Nope, when you run out of the booked vehicle you upgrade!”
I’m the highest level of rewards member so asked of that could help.
“Nope”
I ended up with an XC60 hybrid. I notice they were careful not to mention the hybrid part just in case. It’s new and not a bad car. It’s not the X5 I booked but UK rental car companies are terrible for giving what US customers book. I don’t know why but it’s always a fight.
I was polite throughout, but they have clearly had to deal with a lot of frustrated customers.
Now, here’s the rub. Hertz wrote off $400M in the last quarter due to EVs not being rented. They are dumping Tesla as a manufacturer. Clearly, to boost their numbers they are bait and switching everyone.
It’s a real shame they have taken this approach. I count myself as EV curious and have been negotiating the purchase of a Taycan. When I was leaving Hertz I saw a Taycan getting dropped off. I’d have jumped at that and dealt with the downsides of doing 240+ mile trip to the middle of nowhere. Ironically, my XC60 is plugged in charging the battery as the Airbnb has a slow charger and I figured I’d give it a go.
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