Renting a Hybrid Car? Top US Rental Car Companies Going Green with Hybrid Cars
2009 March 23
More car rental companies are making hybrid cars and other fuel efficient vehicles available for rent. Here’s a rundown on the top companies renting hybrid cars in the U.S.
- Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Based in St. Louis, Missouri, Enterprise has about 7000 hybrid cars in 24 markets across the nation. This includes 10 of the busiest airports. Since 2008, they have increased the size of their hybrid rental car fleet from 4000. According to Enterprise spokeswoman Lisa Martini in an AP interview published on Feb 4, 2009, “consumers and corporate customers have continued to express interest in hybrid cars.” She said demands are particularly high in urban areas and at airports where large numbers of business travelers are most active, so the company has concentrated new hybrid cars in those markets, including Toyota Prius hybrids and Toyota Camry hybrids. Read more about Enterprise renting hybrid cars.
- National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, also owned by Enterprise, also offer hybrid cars for rent.
- Hertz Car Rental: This is another company that has significantly increased its fleet of hybrids. In 2007, they had 1200 of them, and have increased to 4000. Hertz hybrid rental cars can be found in the top 50 airports throughout the US, and even some in global cities overseas such as London. Read more about Hertz renting hybrid cars.
- Avis Rent A Car: Although they don’t have quite the fleet that Enterprise and Hertz do, at 2500 hybrid cars, Avis has a modest foothold in the industry of hybrid rental cars. The main brand available at the moment is Toyota’s Prius, and only in some cities. California and Florida have adopted the hybrid models state-wide, but other cities such as Seattle, Portland, and Dallas have only recently picked up on hybrids. Read more about Avis Prius rental cars.
- Budget Rent A Car: This car rental company is based in New Jersey, where the green movement has shown itself to be in full swing. There are over 2000 hybrid cars in Budget’s fleet, and they often have bargains for weekend rates. Read more about Budget Smartway Certified Green Machines program.
- Dollar Rent A Car: Working from San Francisco, Dollar is new to the hybrid scene. Currently, they have 215 Toyota Priuses in their fleet, but they are working on getting more. The cost of going green is relatively high, and expect to pay a little more for hybrid rentals.
- Fox Rent A Car: Fox Rent a Car was the first company to offer hybrid cars. They can be found at many locations around the world, such as airports in Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Austin, Salt Lake City and Orlando. Ford and Honda are the main models of hybrid cars owned by Fox. Follow the link below to reserve a Fox hybrid rental car.
- Advantage: Advantage has voiced its intent to go 100% green. They offer Toyota Priuses, as well as many other vehicles that get at least 25 miles to the gallon in city travel. As of now, Advantage is the only rental car company that intends to go fully green, according to its website. They have 50 locations in the United States and 130 affiliates overseas.
- Toyota Car Rentals: Toyota, the maker of the Toyota Prius which is the world’s most well-known hybrid, has begun to go green, rental that is. This is actually a service offered by Toyota dealers. Over 80% of Toyota dealers in the nation participate. Read more about Toyota Rent A Car program.
- Thrifty Car Rental: Thrifty Car (owned by Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, which also owns Dollar Rent A Car) offers hybrid cars in airports around the United States. They are located in over 30 countries, and in almost every state in America. However, their rates are expensive. For one day, a Prius rents out for $124.
- Midway Car Rental: Established in 1970, Midway Car Rental is the largest privately owned vehicle rental company in Los Angeles. With over 1,500 vehicles in its fleet and offices in areas around Los Angeles and Hollywood, Midway has hybrid cars and other fuel efficient vehicles for rent. Read more about Midway hybrid rental cars.
No matter what type of hybrid car you want to rent, one of these companies is sure to have a hybrid car that can help you do your part to help the environment and save on fuel costs. Enterprise, Hertz and Avis are the main contenders, because they have locations all over the world and have been among the first to adopt hybrids. There are also signs that other independent and/or privately owned car rental companies are making hybrid cars for rent as well. As in any car renting situation, do your shopping around to get the best rates available.
If you know of a hybrid car rental company that we missed, please add them to the comments below and we’ll include them in updates to this article.
