Connect by Hertz Introduces London's Lowest Cost Electric Club Car to Camden

LONDON, January 25, 2010; Connect by Hertz, the global car sharing club from Hertz, has placed the UK's lowest cost electric club car in the London Borough of Camden. A Citroën C1 evie, which runs entirely on renewable energy provided by the charging point, and is produced by the Britain-based Electric Car Corporation, will be placed on-street at Lincolns Inn Fields for just GBP3.00 per hour to drive. The lowest cost electric car driving rates include insurance, maintenance, cleaning, and roadside assistance. To celebrate the launch, Connect by Hertz will be offering free membership worth GBP50 for Camden residents, who simply need to enter the code 1122 when signing up at http://www.connectbyhertz.com.

Backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson and Camden Council, the electric car - unlike hybrid vehicles - will run entirely on battery which users can charge at no cost at any charging point for up to 3 hours in Camden.

With a driving distance of up to 60 miles per charge and exemption from London's Congestion Charge, the Citroën C1 evie is perfect for journeys across town. The vehicle has keyless entry via a smart chip-enabled Connect Card and is also kitted out with iPod/MP3 player connectivity. While in the vehicle, members can request assistance from the Member Care Centre via the in-car communications system.

Michel Taride, President, Hertz International, commented: "We're very excited to be partnering with such a forward-thinking Borough and introducing this innovative technology to Camden's residents, businesses and visitors. Camden Council has shown great commitment to car clubs, and was one of the first Boroughs to have car club vehicles on its streets."

Councillor Chris Knight, Executive Member for Environment, Camden Council said: "The planning and development of transport in Camden is extremely important, with road traffic currently the biggest source of air pollution in London. An electric vehicle car club is an extremely valuable option for the eco-conscious driver, and for cutting emissions and the number of cars on our streets."

Camden Council plans to place additional Connect by Hertz vehicles in the Borough as well as expanding the scheme across other locations.