One of the biggest automotive markets for any company is automobile rentals. After renting a Toyota Highlander a few years ago, we were inspired to buy one, as are many consumers, which makes the rental car switch to hybrid a big one for many automotive consumers.
Recently Enterprise Rent-a-Car has responded to consumer demand for hybrids with the addition of 5,000 hybrids to their American fleet as well as the establishment of 80 “Hybrid Brach” locations throughout the country. At these specialized locations Enterprise will house the largest concentrations of their hybrids and allow customers to reserve them online or over the phone. The vehicles models include a variety of companies from Toyota’s Prius and Camry to the Nissan Altima and Ford Escape.
But the trend may have started as early as 2006 when Hertz initiated its “Green Collection” which earn at least 31mpg and include models such as the Camry, Ford Fusion, Buick LaCrosse and Hyundai Sonata. Many of these models have also earned the EPA’s SmartWay certification.
Along the same lines comes Avis and Budget Rent-a-Car with a fleet of 2,500 hybrids across the nation and the up-and-comer Advantage who has pledged to make its entire fleet “green” by 2010.
But the choice will usually cost you, anywhere from $5 to $15 more per day to rent a hybrid than a normal economy car. When all the math is done it turns out that in many cases, renting the economy car is cheaper, even when factoring in gas prices. To even the score many airports where rental companies have their “green hubs,” including San Francisco International, are offering discounts to travelers who choose hybrids over conventional cars.
Renting hybrid is first a response to consumer demand and also a way for consumers to test hybrid performance. With all the hype over “going green” the option in green car rentals is a prime way for companies to promote their product while also reaping the benefits of more hybrids on the road. Certainly for individuals rents for vacation purposes, driving long distances in a hybrid may be the optimal choice. Hopefully as hybrids continue to gain ground in the automotive market we’ll see more companies, and consumers, not just modifying their own cars, but opening to the idea of “green” rentals.
