The service is a result of a five-year strategic partnership agreement signed with Norway-based Move About A/S,  and will be offered alongside the existing Hertz on Demand car sharing operation in Berlin. Businesses will operate a pool car fleet which can be used by employees for work and personal use, based on a booking system.

All vehicles include keyless entry via a smart chip membership card, and a system which allows Hertz on Demand to unlock, engage and locate each one. A hands-free audio system with a connection to a 24/7 helpline will also be included. Both companies are aiming to explore opportunities in other European markets as a result of the project.

Michel Taride, president of Hertz International and executive vice president of the Hertz Corporation, said: ‘Hertz believes that electric cars and mobility-on-demand services go hand-in-hand as the public and private sectors develop new and sustainable travel solutions. Partnering with a pioneer such as Move About complements both our Hertz on Demand car sharing strategy and Global Electric Vehicle  mobility platform.’

Since it was launched in 2008, Hertz on Demand’s global car sharing operation includes 800  vehicles and over 70,000 members with corporate customers including Marriott International, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and London Heathrow Airport. The plugged-in fleet comprises of Chevrolet Volts, Nissan LEAFs and smart fortwo electric drive models in the United States, and Mitsubishi i-MiEVs in London.