Sime Darby Rent-A-Car (SDRAC) recently taken a significant step towards promoting sustainable mobility by presenting four electric vehicles (EVs) to the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) for official use. This landmark move follows a pioneering EV lease agreement signed between SDRAC-Hertz and MBIP during the recent International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition & Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2023. The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of Puan Elina binti Jani, CEO of Greentech Malaysia Alliances (GTMA), as a witness.
SDRAC-Hertz’s green mobility initiatives aim to encourage the adoption of EVs within the car rental sector. The first initiative involves leasing four electric vehicles to MBIP for a year, commencing in October 2023. This historic agreement makes Hertz the first car rental company in Malaysia to offer EV leasing services to a city council, with MBIP becoming the first city council in the country to embrace EV leasing for its operational fleet.
At the handover ceremony in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Housing and Local Government Exco Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor received the leased EVs on behalf of MBIP. SDRAC-Hertz’s Chief Operating Officer Nahar Hakimy represented the company, while MBIP was represented by Mayor Dato’ Haji Mohd Haffiz bin Haji Ahmad and Chief Whip Datuk Abd. Rashid Kasman. To underscore the growing appeal of EVs, Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor even took one of the electric vehicles for a test drive.
Among the four leased EVs, one is a Hyundai Ioniq 5 Plus, designated as the official vehicle for Iskandar Puteri’s mayor, Dato’ Haji Mohd Haffiz bin Haji Ahmad. The remaining three units, Hyundai Kona E-Max vehicles, will be assigned to council enforcers for their daily duties.
The leasing agreement is comprehensive, offering unlimited mileage, replacement car availability, maintenance coverage, wear and tear protection, insurance, road tax, and 24/7 roadside assistance. Additionally, SDRAC-Hertz will take responsibility for fleet maintenance, ensuring minimal disruption and downtime for MBIP’s operational duties.
Furthermore, SDRAC-Hertz has extended its commitment to eco-friendly initiatives by continuing as the official EV rental partner for IGEM until 2030. This partnership underscores SDRAC’s dedication to fostering sustainable practices and promoting green mobility solutions. As the designated EV rental partner for IGEM, SDRAC-Hertz will provide event attendees with easy access to its electric vehicle fleet, making environmentally responsible transportation options readily available.
