Like some industry brethren, Hertz Corp. revealed its own commitment to action at this week’s annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative, which aims for better environmental protection.

Hertz’s pledge stems around enhancing the availability of the next generation of electric vehicles to the general public through its rental and vehicle-sharing operations.

The company and its partners plan to roll out the EV rental program starting this autumn with full-scale deployment in both the U.S. and other countries beginning in 2011. Executives contend Hertz Global EV will be the one of the first operations to provide a range of all-electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and charging stations on a rental and vehicle-sharing basis at this scale.

Hertz pointed out that the company is building partnerships aimed to help scale up electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid usage for the general public. The company added it’s forming strategic partnerships with manufacturers, charging station providers, municipalities, NGOs, corporations and other stakeholders.

In February, Hertz announced a joint commitment with Nissan to bring the 100-percent electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF to its select U.S. and European rental and sharing locations. Additionally, Hertz plans to supply EVs and PHEVs from other manufacturers including General Motors, Toyota and Mitsubishi. In Europe, Hertz EVs have already been introduced in London and Zurich with additional cities adding EVs this fall.

During the next several months, executives explained Hertz Global EV is looking to leverage the company’s rental and vehicle-sharing locations as bases for vehicles and charging stations. Furthermore, they want to tap deeper into technology — including sophisticated fleet management tools and the consumer-facing NeverLost GPS system — to help form an EV grid.

Looking forward, the company hopes to build on its EV grid and explore new opportunities — including potentially bringing other areas of the business, including Hertz Equipment Rental, into Hertz Global EV.

Hertz believes it is uniquely positioned to introduce multiple groups of consumers — urban drivers, university students, travelers and corporations — to all-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

“Our Hertz Global EV program will galvanize support for building out the infrastructure platform necessary to make electric vehicle travel an everyday reality,” stated Mark Frissora, Hertz’s chairman and chief executive officer.

“With our rental and car sharing expertise, industry relationships and global footprint, we are in an ideal position to lead this new frontier in transportation. This is the game-changer for electric mobility,” Frissora added.

Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund, cheered Hertz’s commitment.

“Done right, electric vehicles can help the environment and represent a leap forward in transportation,” Krupp declared.

“We look forward to working with Hertz and its partners to ensure that this leap drives measurable benefits for both consumers and the planet,” he added.

More details about these initiatives can be found at www.hertz.com or www.connectbyhertz.com.