Joulez

- 610 Exterior St, Bronx, NY 10451

For New York residents looking to experience the future of transportation, the concept of renting a fully electric vehicle (EV) is highly appealing. Joulez, a car rental agency operating from a location at 610 Exterior St in the Bronx, aims to specifically cater to this market with a fleet of electric cars. The company’s focus is on providing an on-demand, modern rental experience centered around premium EVs, such as Tesla models.

The stated business model of Joulez is to revolutionize the rental industry by eliminating long lines and offering services like vehicle delivery and inclusion of charging costs, all managed through a planned mobile application and web platform. However, the current reality of the customer experience, as reported by local users, often falls short of this intended seamless and automated vision.

Customer feedback from individuals who have rented on multiple occasions highlights persistent and frustrating operational challenges. These issues center on a lack of functional automation, ineffective in-person assistance, and major delays in resolving post-rental issues, such as security deposit returns and accident claims. For New Yorkers accustomed to efficiency, these operational setbacks can be a significant barrier to a smooth rental experience.

Joulez operates from a location in the Bronx at 610 Exterior St, Bronx, NY 10451, USA. This address places the rental agency within the broader area of the Bronx Terminal Market, offering relative access for people living in or commuting to the Bronx. The location's presence in a commercial area is convenient for pick-up and drop-off, though the actual physical car retrieval process has proven to be complex for some renters.

In terms of physical access, the facility does offer a wheelchair accessible entrance, which is an essential feature for ensuring that all customers have the ability to reach the service area. However, it is crucial to note that the actual process of finding the specific vehicle within a multi-level garage and completing the mandatory check-out procedure relies heavily on phone/text communication and photo verification, a process that is described by users as cumbersome and dependent on good cell phone reception within the garage structure.

Joulez is primarily defined as a car rental agency focused on electric vehicles. The core offering is access to a fleet of modern, premium EVs for daily, weekly, and monthly rentals.

• Electric Vehicle (EV) Rentals: The primary service is renting a diverse fleet of electric cars, including models from manufacturers like Tesla, Mercedes, and others.
• Payment Options: The company accepts standard payment methods for the rental fee and security deposit hold, including major Credit Cards and Debit Cards.
• Security Deposit Hold: A security deposit, often a significant amount like $500 or more, is required and held against the customer’s payment method for the duration of the rental.
• Manual Check-Out Process: The rental process involves a manual, customer-led check-out procedure that requires communicating with the Joulez team via phone or text message.
• Vehicle Documentation Requirement: Customers are required to send multiple photos of the vehicle’s interior and exterior via text message at the start of the rental, along with a photo verification of the driver’s license and the car’s license plate.

While the company outlines a modern vision, the current operational features and customer highlights are mixed, according to user reports.

• EV-Only Fleet: A key feature is the 100% electric vehicle fleet, allowing New Yorkers to rent a sustainable and technologically advanced car without long-term commitment.
• Wheelchair Accessible Entrance: The physical location is equipped with a wheelchair accessible entrance, providing necessary access for all patrons.
• Contactless Vehicle Access (Theoretical): The business model suggests a degree of contactless access where the car is opened remotely via phone/text communication upon arrival.
• Inconsistent Vehicle Availability: A notable and frequent complaint is that on multiple occasions, vehicles confirmed for rental were not actually present at the designated location, forcing customers to spend up to 45 minutes searching for a non-existent car.
• Inefficient Customer Support: Internally-based customer service representatives, available by phone, have been described by users as "inept" and lacking "insight into the situation happening there on the ground."
• Deposit Return Delays: Customers have faced unacceptable delays, with some reporting waiting longer than 14 days to receive their security deposit back after the rental concluded.
• Poor Post-Accident Handling: Serious customer complaints detail a failure to submit ambulance bills to insurance and a refusal to provide essential documents like accident reports and dashcam footage, leading to bills going to collections.
• Lack of Essential Automation: Unlike similar business models, the company does not currently utilize a seamless mobile application to guide the customer through the rental process, which exacerbates confusion and delays during pick-up.
• Refusal of Future Business: At least one customer reported that the company refused any future business after the customer stated their intention to post a negative review detailing their experience.

For reservations, inquiries, or to begin the manual check-out process for a reserved vehicle at the Bronx location, customers are directed to contact the following numbers. Given the reliance on communication for vehicle access, it is important for renters to have these details readily available.

Address: 610 Exterior St, Bronx, NY 10451, USA
Phone: (917) 831-4031
Mobile Phone: +1 917-831-4031

When considering Joulez for a car rental in the New York region, the primary appeal is the exclusive access to an all-electric vehicle fleet. For New Yorkers who specifically want to drive a Tesla or other premium EV for a short period, this focus is a potential draw. However, a significant amount of customer feedback strongly suggests that the actual customer service experience and operational reliability warrant extreme caution.

Repeated reports of cars not being present, hours-long manual check-out processes, "inept" phone support with no on-site knowledge, severe delays in receiving the $500 security deposit, and serious allegations regarding the mishandling of accident claims and paperwork are critical issues that potential renters must weigh heavily.

Current and former customers have highly recommended skipping Joulez entirely, explicitly advising local users to "go with EON" instead, suggesting that EON offers a similar business model but features a seamless mobile application that better guides the customer experience. For the typical New York renter who values efficiency, accountability, and reliability, particularly with deposit returns and insurance claims, the available evidence suggests that exploring alternatives with proven customer satisfaction and superior automation technology may be a much more sensible choice.

Joulez

610 Exterior St, Bronx, NY 10451, USA