Joulez and American Lease Bring Fisker and Other Rental EVs to NYC and CA
Joulez, committed to creating the world’s most sustainable electric vehicle (EV) rental operation, began rolling out a fleet of Fisker Ocean electric vehicles for general rental in October 2024. This expansion, launched in partnership with American Lease, marks a significant step in Joulez’s rapid growth in New York City.
Joulez has been incorporating Fisker EVs into its fleet since December 2023, and the current rollout significantly increases their availability alongside other premium electric vehicles, including Teslas, Rivians, Lucids, BMWs, Mercedes, and Ford EVs. This expansion reflects Joulez’s dedication to offering a diverse, high-quality selection of EVs while advancing its sustainability mission.
“We’ve had huge customer demand to rent the world’s most sustainable and unique vehicles, and with Fisker’s bankruptcy we provide that opportunity to a large audience,” CEO Micah Bergdale said. “Joulez’s operation is focused on giving a custom EV rental experience that makes everyday renters comfortable driving any EV we have in our fleet, including knowing where and how best to charge. We are excited to give EV enthusiasts the chance to drive the Ocean, and to enjoy the vehicle’s innovative design and one of a kind features.”
In New York, Joulez currently operates rental locations in The Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan with locations launching in Queens and New Jersey in December 2024. In California, it offers a location in Hollywood. The locations are open 7 days a week, 365 days a year for customers to rent the Fisker Ocean or other EVs.
Fisker’s Ocean EV
The Fisker Ocean is an all-electric SUV designed to combine cutting-edge sustainability with style, technology, and performance. Manufactured by Fisker Inc., the Ocean was marketed as one of the most eco-conscious EVs available, featuring innovative materials such as recycled plastics and vegan interiors to reduce its environmental footprint.
The Fisker Ocean offers a range of configurations, with the top trim model achieving an EPA-estimated range of over 350 miles per charge. It is equipped with advanced features, including a retractable solar roof on select models to extend driving range, a rotating touchscreen infotainment system, and robust connectivity options. The SUV also boasts performance capabilities like all-wheel drive, a dual-motor setup, and acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in under 4 seconds for its high-performance trims.
Fisker Finalized Bankruptcy in October 2024
In October 2024, Fisker Inc., an electric vehicle startup owned by Henrik Fisker, received court approval for its bankruptcy liquidation plan. After extensive negotiations, the company was able to finalize the sale of its remaining inventory of around 3,000 Fisker Ocean SUVs for $46 million to American Lease. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Thomas Horan signed off on the plan during a court hearing in Wilmington, Delaware, allowing Fisker to repay creditors using the proceeds from the fleet sale.
Fisker ultimately opted to liquidate its operations, selling off its vehicles and transferring its intellectual property to creditors. However, the sale encountered a significant obstacle when American Lease realized that Fisker could not transfer critical data and support services to its own servers. This posed a major issue, as the vehicles would be unable to receive software updates, diagnostic reports, or allow remote access by owners.
The dispute was resolved when American Lease agreed to pay an additional $2.5 million over five years for ongoing tech support services. This arrangement would ensure the continued functionality of the vehicles and provide reassurance to other Fisker Ocean owners, who had expressed concerns about their cars losing connectivity and support after the shutdown of Fisker’s servers. The agreement ensures that these customers will not be left without essential services, benefiting both the buyer and existing owners.
Fisker Automotive’s Collapse in 2013
Henrik Fisker’s October 2024 bankruptcy wasn’t his first. 2013 saw the financial collapse of Fisker Automotive, the original company behind the Fisker Karma, an early luxury plug-in hybrid sedan. Fisker Automotive filed for bankruptcy in November 2013, just five years after its founding in 2008, following a series of challenges that included financial mismanagement, production delays, and technological setbacks.
The company faced significant losses after battery supplier A123 Systems declared bankruptcy, disrupting Karma production. Additionally, Fisker Automotive struggled with quality issues, including recalls due to faulty batteries, and its reputation suffered further after several vehicles were damaged during Hurricane Sandy. Despite receiving a $529 million loan commitment from the U.S. Department of Energy, the company was only able to draw $192 million before the funds were frozen due to missed milestones.
Fisker Automotive’s assets were purchased out of bankruptcy by Wanxiang Group, a Chinese auto parts company, in 2014. Wanxiang rebranded the company as Karma Automotive, focusing on the production of luxury hybrid and electric vehicles.
