Hertz teams with China's BYD to grow electric-car market

Chinese technology firm BYD, which makes internal combustion and electric cars (EVs), rechargeable batteries and solar-energy technology, is teaming up with rental car operator Hertz to promote the development of the EV market in China.

Through their new partnership, the companies aim to help develop new energy applications to support electric vehicles. As part of the joint effort, Hertz will also rent BYD’s e6 electrical vehicle (EV) to Chinese consumers, municipalities and government agencies.

“With our partnership with BYD, we can offer a complete solution including rental and sales — another first for our industry,” said Mark Frissora, chairman and CEO of Hertz.

“(P)ure EVs for car rental in China is an innovative step for new energy industry development,” added Chuanfu Wang, chairman and CEO of BYD. He said the companies’ partnership “will certainly bring ‘green’ transportation to the forefront.”

With a driving range of more than 186 miles (240 kilometers), BYD’s e6 will be the first pure EV for rent in China. The vehicle’s core technology is BYD’s internally developed iron-phosphate or “FE” battery technology, a rechargeable battery with no heavy metals or toxic/flammable electrolytes.

The BYD e6 has been in use in Shenzhen taxi fleets for over a year now. According to BYD, the first fleet of 50 e6 taxis have surpassed 2.5 million cumulative fleet miles (4 million kilometers) without energy or range degradation and have been fast-charged daily the entire length of service. Another 300 e6s were added to the fleets in July for the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade games.