Hertz, Nissan reach deal to add electric cars to rental fleet in 2011

Hertz to include Nissan electric cars to fleet

PARK RIDGE, N.J. — Hertz will add Nissan’s electric vehicle to its lineup next year in the U.S. and Europe, the rental car company said Friday.

Hertz Corp., the world’s largest car rental agency, plans to use the Nissan Leaf, an all-electric vehicle with a rechargeable battery.

The Leaf can seat five adults and is designed to travel up to 100 miles on a single charge. It will be available at select Hertz rental sites, though the company did not specify where.

Nissan expects to begin selling the Leaf in the United States later this year. The Japanese company also plans to use its partnership with French automakers Renault to mass market electric vehicles worldwide in 2012.