A recent incident involving a Tesla rental from Hertz in California has raised eyebrows and left a customer, Joshua Lee, surprised by a $277 charge labeled as “refueling” at the end of his trip. Lee, a loyal Hertz customer with “President’s Circle Status,” had opted for the “Skip the Pump and Save Time” option, which allows returning any vehicle, electric or not, at any fuel level without incurring additional charges.
Despite returning the Model 3 with a 96 percent full battery, the same as when he picked it up, Lee was still charged for refueling. This puzzling decision by Hertz sparked confusion and frustration, especially since Lee had followed all the rental procedures and options.
When Lee reached out to customer service, he received a response that failed to address the issue adequately. The company stated, “I am unable to provide an adjustment or refund since the service was provided and contract is closed.” This response left Lee dissatisfied and questioning how such a fee could be justified, especially considering the relatively low cost of recharging an electric vehicle compared to refueling a gas car.
After the story gained attention, Hertz finally responded to The Drive, acknowledging the error and committing to refunding the erroneous charge. While Lee will get his money back, he has decided not to return to Hertz due to the mishandling of the situation. This incident highlights the challenges rental companies face in adapting to electric vehicles and ensuring transparent and fair billing practices.
