Is Hertz Selling Their EV Cars? 2026 Status Explained

Hertz is still selling some ex-rental EVs in 2026, but it is not exiting electric cars; it continues to rent and rotate them out of the fleet. Miss the difference, and you can overpay for a used EV or assume Hertz has stopped carrying models it still lists in many markets. This guide covers which EVs Hertz sold, what remains available for renters, and how ex-Hertz EVs stack up as used buys.

What EV rental and sale updates look like in 2026

Yes, but that does not mean Hertz has abandoned EV rentals. Hertz Global Holdings cut back its electric fleet after finding that demand was weaker than projected, repair costs were high, and used-EV values were falling. It planned to sell approximately 20,000 EVs from its U.S. fleet, roughly one-third of its global electric vehicle fleet.

Fleet reduction, not a full exit

The key 2026 point is plain: Hertz cut the EV fleet size, then kept some EVs on the road. The company said it was putting sale proceeds back into ICE vehicles while still renting EVs on a smaller scale. So the answer to “Is Hertz selling EVs?” is yes, but the answer to “Has Hertz stopped renting EVs?” is no.

What changed after the first EV push

Hertz had planned a 60,000-EV fleet, then pulled back after the first aggressive rollout ran into economics that did not work as expected. By late 2024, the company had sold around 30,000 electric vehicles, with the reduction focused on Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Those sales changed fleet mix, not the basic fact that Hertz still rents EVs in some markets.

Why Hertz pulled back

Three issues kept showing up together. Hertz cited lower-than-expected customer demand for EVs, lower resale values for used EVs, and high repair costs. That combination hits a rental operator hard because it reduces utilization, weakens residual value, and makes collision damage more expensive to process.

Why depreciation matters here

EV depreciation is not just a resale problem; it affects fleet profitability while the vehicle is still on the lot. If a manufacturer cuts new-car prices, the used market often adjusts quickly, and the gap can hit rental companies first. Hertz’s move reflects that pressure, especially on high-volume models that flooded the used market at once.

Why repair costs matter here

EV collision repairs often need trained technicians, battery checks, and parts that may be harder to source fast. For a rental fleet, that means two hits: repair expense and lost rental income while the car sits out of service. Longer shop time also limits how quickly the vehicle can return to revenue.

What Hertz still rents

Hertz may rent EVs, but availability varies by location, season, and airport market. A major hub may have several electric choices one week and very few the next. Renters should check the exact branch inventory before booking, because national branding does not guarantee local stock.

Location-by-location availability

Airport locations usually turn inventory faster than neighborhood branches, and that matters for EVs because rotation is uneven. A city market with steady EV demand may keep a few units in service, while another location may favor gasoline inventory after a sell-down. The practical lesson is to verify vehicle class, not just the rental category.

What to check before booking

Before you reserve, check the specific model or EV class, the charging return policy, and whether the branch guarantees an EV or only a comparable vehicle. Some renters assume “EV available” means every location has Tesla inventory. It does not.

1. Check the branch inventory, not just the corporate booking page.
2. Confirm the exact vehicle class and charging return rules.
3. Ask whether the branch is assigning Teslas, a mixed EV pool, or a substitute class.
4. Verify that your route has charging access if you are flying into an unfamiliar area.

Tesla and non-Tesla EVs

Tesla models were the center of Hertz’s EV push, but they were not the only electric cars in the fleet. Polestar 2 inventory also appeared in the used channel, and some locations may still circulate non-Tesla EVs in rental rotation. What matters to the renter is not brand name alone, but whether the local branch can actually hand over the keys.

Hertz EV status matrix

This matrix separates what Hertz sold from what it still rents in 2026, so you can read the fleet story without mixing the two. For buyers, the key issue is that ex-rental inventory can be plentiful while rental availability remains limited and market-dependent.

What Hertz sold	What Hertz still rents	What that means for buyers
A large slice of the EV fleet, including about 20,000 U.S. EVs and around 30,000 electric vehicles by late 2024; the reduction focused on Tesla Model 3 and Model Y units	Some EV rentals remain in service on a smaller scale, with availability varying by location and season	More used supply can pressure prices, but renters should not assume every branch has EVs
Higher-risk inventory from a resale standpoint, especially where depreciation was sharp after manufacturer price cuts	A mixed pool of surviving EVs, including Tesla and some non-Tesla models in select markets	Used shoppers should compare Hertz Car Sales prices against third-party listings before assuming a discount
Vehicles that were rotated out because repair costs and residual value losses hurt fleet economics	EVs that remain useful for rental demand where branch traffic supports them	Ex-rental units can be good values if mileage, battery condition, and warranty status line up

Which models left the fleet?

The fleet reduction centered on the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y, with Polestar 2 units also showing up in the used-EV pipeline. That does not mean every example of those models left Hertz or that every one is a bad buy. It means those are the names most tied to the sell-down and to the used-market pressure that followed.

Tesla Model 3 risk notes

The Model 3 is the most important Hertz EV in the resale story because it was a major fleet model and a high-volume used listing. It is also highly sensitive to depreciation, which means a former rental can look cheap for a reason. Supercharger access helps day-to-day ownership, but it does not erase battery wear, tire wear, or the effects of heavy fleet use.

A common first-timer mistake is buying the lowest-priced 2023 Model 3 RWD sight unseen because the odometer looks reasonable. A 65,000-mile example can be under $20,000, and prices can hover near $16,000 after tax credits, but only if the car qualifies and the battery, tires, and interior pass inspection.

Tesla Model Y risk notes

The Model Y sits in the SUV EV segment, which can make it more appealing for families and rideshare use, but it has also faced stronger depreciation than smaller EVs in some used-market bands. That matters for Hertz because a model that sells well new can still lose value fast when supply rises and incentives move.

For buyers, the Model Y’s appeal is utility. The risk is paying too much for a former fleet car that still carries rental-mileage wear. Check seat bolsters, suspension noise, charging-port function, and whether the car still qualifies for any used-EV tax credit relief.

Polestar 2 risk notes

The Polestar 2 is a premium compact EV with lower brand recognition than Tesla, which can hurt resale even when the car is in good condition. That lower recognition can create bargains in Hertz Car Sales inventory, but it can also make pricing less predictable. Used-market comparison shopping matters more here than with a familiar badge.

Picture a Polestar 2 with moderate mileage sitting next to a cheaper Tesla in the same sales lot. The Tesla may have better brand demand, but the Polestar could still be the smarter buy if the inspection is cleaner and the total out-the-door price is lower after tax credit eligibility is factored in.

Should you buy an ex-rental EV?

Sometimes, yes. Hertz Car Sales can be a useful source of ex-rental EVs because the inventory is direct, the cars are listed as used vehicles from one channel, and the company says it uses inspections and warranty checks before sale. The right move is to treat each car as an individual purchase, not as a blanket verdict on rental history.

How Hertz Car Sales works

Hertz Car Sales is the company’s direct used-vehicle sales channel, and the inventory often comes from its own fleet rotations. Some units are sold as-is, so the burden shifts to the buyer to verify condition, equipment, and remaining coverage. That is different from a brand-new EV purchase and different from a certified pre-owned program at a franchised dealer.

What to inspect first

For an ex-rental EV, mileage alone is not enough. You need battery health, charge behavior, tire wear, cabin condition, and evidence of collision repair. If the car has obvious bodywork, ask for documentation on what was repaired and whether the charging system was checked after the work.

1. Confirm battery health and charging consistency.
2. Check tire tread and alignment wear, since EVs are heavy and torque can punish tires.
3. Look for panel gaps, mismatched trim, or paint variation that may signal prior body work.
4. Verify warranty status and whether any inspection report is available.
5. Compare the asking price against similar third-party listings and any eligible tax credit.

Used EV tax credit considerations

The used EV tax credit can reduce the effective purchase price of an eligible used EV, which is especially relevant for ex-rental buyers shopping at lower price points. It does not apply to every car, and it depends on eligibility rules and price thresholds. That is why a listed bargain is not always the final bargain. (IRS)

Suppose a shopper is comparing two former rental Model 3s that look similar on paper. One is just outside the tax-credit price band, while the other qualifies. The second car may be the better deal even if its sticker price is slightly higher, because the credit changes the math at checkout.

Keep reading

• Sixt vs Hertz: Which Costs Less and Works Best for You?
• Is an Electric Car Worth It in 2026? Real Costs After the Tax Credit Ended
• What Cars Qualify for the EV Tax Credit in 2026? (It Ended)

Frequently asked questions

Is Hertz still selling EV cars in 2026?

Yes. Hertz is still selling ex-rental EVs in 2026, but that does not mean it has stopped renting them. The company reduced its EV fleet after weak demand, depreciation pressure, and repair costs hit profitability, then kept a smaller number of EVs in service.

How many Hertz EVs did they sell?

Hertz planned to sell approximately 20,000 EVs from its U.S. fleet, which was about one-third of its global electric vehicle fleet.

Why is Hertz selling its electric cars?

Hertz said the pullback was driven by weaker-than-expected EV demand, lower resale values, and high repair costs. Those factors work together: lower demand reduces rental utilization, depreciation weakens residual value, and expensive repairs make the fleet harder to profit from when cars are damaged or sit idle.

Does Hertz still rent Teslas and other EVs?

Yes, Hertz still rents EVs in 2026 on a smaller scale. Availability varies by location, season, and airport market, so one branch may have Tesla inventory while another may have none. Renters should always confirm the exact vehicle class before booking.

Are Hertz ex-rental EVs worth buying?

They can be, if the price reflects mileage, battery condition, and rental wear. Hertz Car Sales inventory can be competitive, and some used EVs may qualify for a tax credit that lowers the effective price. Buyers should still inspect for collision repair, tire wear, and warranty status.

What EV models did Hertz sell?

The reduction focused on Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y vehicles, which were the biggest names in the fleet story. Polestar 2 units also appear in the used-EV discussion. Those models are not automatically poor purchases, but they deserve closer price and condition checks because of depreciation and fleet-use history.