Hybrid vehicles gain popularity in car rental industry

Travelers who are intent on reducing what they pay at the gas pump or reducing their carbon footprint – or both – are finding more choices available to them when renting a car these days. More biofuel-powered and hybrid vehicles are now being offered by rental car companies.

If you’re looking green rental in major California cities, in Seattle, Atlanta, Washington D.C., New York, Dallas or Chicago, there’s a good chance you’ll find something suitable.

Rental car companies such as Alamo, Enterprise, and National are offering Ford, Saturn, and Toyota hybrids, as well as carbon offsets through a company called TerraPass, which focuses on the reduction of the negative climate effects of driving a car.

Going green doesn’t always necessarily mean that you’ll be saving money, however.

Renters are asked to contribute $1.25, added on to the car rental costs, which TerraPass then uses to fund emissions-offset projects. Projects include the production of clean energy from wind farms, farm animal waste, and methane capture from landfills.

Enterprise maintains a luxury rental car division in West Los Angeles, where Lexus hybrids are on offer; and Fox features Honda and Toyota hybrids.

Hertz is committing to add 3,400 Toyota Priuses to its rental fleet by the end of this year – with guaranteed reservations. Avis and Budget also offer the Prius, as well as Ford Escape and Nissan Altima hybrids, again with guaranteed reservations.

www.enterprise.com