More and more rental car companies have begun making hybrid rental cars available to travelers. Since the creation of automobiles, tons of pollution have been emitted into the atmosphere from the manmade creations. Today, after a century of environmental abuse, the effects of global warming have become a worldwide issue.

So it is no surprise that hybrid car rentals have become more popular than conventional combustion engine cars over the last few years. For those wondering why anyone would spend extra money on renting a hybrid over a conventional car, here are a few reasons to do so.

The Environment Factor

For starters, hybrid rental cars are more environmentally-friendly than any other transportation method you can find from an airport rental car company. Sure there are a few smaller conventional gasoline cars that get great mileage, but nothing beats driving a hybrid with an electric motor. For those looking to help make the world a better place, renting a hybrid car to help reverse global warming and its negative effects is an obvious plus.

The Mileage/Fuel Cost Factor

In addition, you’ll spend less on fuel costs with a hybrid rental car than it would be with many other cars. The fact is, if a hybrid car can get up to three times as many miles per gallon than a conventional car, you are basically cutting your fuel cost by a third. And with technology improving all the time, the fuel advantage of a hybrid will continue to increase as well. For those thinking of renting a car for a long trip, this can be a great incentive to rent. In any case, remember to weigh the benefits of the lower fuel cost against the additional dollars needed per day to rent a hybrid.

The Test-Drive Factor

A not so obvious reason to rent a hybrid is the experience it provides. For those looking for a long-term car purchase, a hybrid car may very well be a possibility. But as hybrids are relatively new and different to operate, it’s probably wise to invest in a little more research to learn about them than when purchasing a gasoline powered car. Renting a hybrid car allows you to take a spin into your future purchase and see if it is really for you. Just as important, test driving a rental hybrid car for an extended period of time, such as a week or two, can allow you to see exactly how much you would save on fuel and how the car performs.

Some people rent hybrid cars as part of their business or personal travel plans, while others rent to specifically check them out first-hand. If you rent for a test drive purpose, you’ll have one additional side benefit. No car salesman.

Renting before buying is a practice used on many goods. Many try out gyms on trial basis or rent video games before purchasing them. Before you spend thousands of dollars on a hybrid car, it makes sense to check them out first. Using hybrid car rentals is an excellent way.

Go Ahead and Rent a Hybrid

Overall, a rental hybrid car can prove useful for many reasons. For those who want to be more eco-friendly, they offer a vehicle that pollutes less than the normal car. For those who want to save on fuel money, they offer better fuel-efficiency. And for those looking to perhaps buy a hybrid, they offer a cheap and effective tryout. These are just a few of the many reasons to rent and try out a hybrid car.

So have you rented a hybrid on your travel? Share your experience and tips in the comment below.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Reasons Why You Should Rent A Hybrid Car Over A Conventional Car

Take advantage of all deals Enterprise has to offer and use the links below to get great discounts for hybrid car rentals.

• Free Upgrade On Your Next Airport Rental With Enterprise Rent-A-Car!
• 50% Off Weekend Rentals at Enterprise.com! Most Cars. Most Weekends. Most Neighborhood Locations.

Edited 04-03-09. Early in February, 2009, Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced plans to double its fleet of hybrid rental cars, adding 5000 cars and small SUVs, and making them available to eco-conscious motorists at nearly eighty “hybrid branches” nationwide. Enterprises specifically designated “hybrid branches” specialize in new-hybrid car rentals, and they offer customers the convenience of reserving their hybrid cars either online or by phone.

Enterprise already boasts the industry’s largest fleet of fuel efficient vehicles: three-quarters of the Enterprise fleet get 28 mpg or more, and more than 25% are rated at 32mpg or more. Enterprise also sponsors a carbon offset program. For every 100,000 customers who participate in the program, 30 million pounds of greenhouse emissions are taken out of the atmosphere.

Now, Enterprise takes it eco-conscious initiatives to the next level, setting the industry standard for hybrid car rentals. Enterprise will expand its hybrid car rentals in all three of its classes -”standard” hybrids, comparable with larger sub-compacts, “full size” hybrids, which comfortably will seat five passengers and carry all their gear, and “hybrid SUVs,” comparable with cross-over vehicles.

“Standard” Hybrids

Toyota Prius Hybrid, one of the most popular and best engineered hybrids on the American market, leads the “standard” class. Enterprise rents four-door models, which have room for five passengers; and all of their Prius hybrids come equipped with automatic transmission, air-conditioning, and AM/FM stereo with CD player. Daily rental rates start at $89.99 in many markets. Insurance and local charges will boost the actual cost to a little over $100. Enterprise also plans to add Nissan Altima to its standard hybrid fleet.

“Full Size” Hybrids

Toyota Camry Hybrid, the second generation of Toyota’s advanced hybrid technology, and a Kelly Blue Book Customer Favorite, leads Enterprise’s fleet of “full size” hybrids. Exceptionally comfortable and fun to drive, Enterprise’s four-door Camry hybrids all have automatic transmissions, air conditioning, and AM/FM stereos with CD players. Daily rates for Camrys start at $94.99 per day, and the Camry hybrid probably represents the best value for traveling families.

Hybrid SUVs

The Ford Escape Hybrid, arguably the finest American-made hybrid, anchors Enterprise’s fleet of SUVs. Roomy as most full-sized SUVs, the Ford Escape handles and parks far easier than a full-size, and the Escape hybrid has 40% better fuel efficiency than Ford Escapes with conventional engines. Enterprise’s Ford Escape hybrids come fully equipped with automatic transmission, tilt steering wheel and cruise control, split rear seat which folds three different ways, air conditioning and AM/FM stereo with CD player. At just $99.99 per day, the Escape hybrid is the perfect choice for vacationing families with lots of gear and serious tourists who expect to rack-up lots of miles exploring their vacation destinations.

A quick check on Enterprise’s website results in the following sampling of rates for mid-May 2009 hybrid rental availability for Tempa Airport, Tempa FL. The Camry Hybrid and Ford Escape Hybrid still look like difficult vehicles to get, given a smaller fleet than the Prius.

Daily rates, Tempa Airport, mid-May, 2009

Weekly rates, Tempa Airport, mid-May, 2009

Leading the Hybrid Rentals Bandwagon

Enterprise Hybrid Car Rentals will be available in twenty-four major US markets, including the country’s busiest airports. The most “hybrid branches” will open in California and New York, where demand for hybrid car rentals has soared in the last several years. Enterprise plans to open hybrid branches in Oregon, Texas, and Washington in future expansion. 

Enterprise executives frequently have stressed the company’s commitment to new engine technologies and development of alternative fuels for use in their rental fleet. Doubling its available hybrid car rentals, Enterprise clearly demonstrates its commitment and gives demanding customers the vehicles they want, when they want them. Meanwhile, market analysts have noticed the impact of Enterprise’s green initiatives on its bottom line; even in a seriously depressed economy, Enterprise’s bold and aggressive move into hybrid rental cars and flex-fuel vehicles of all kinds has increased its market share. In some markets, Enterprise has gained 15%, stealing customers from airport leader Hertz and customer-friendly Avis.

When Enterprise will guarantee availability of hybrid rental cars, you know they are serious about helping to clean up the environment. To check availability go directly to Enterprise’s hybrid rental cars webpage.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Hybrid Rental Car Availability: Enterprise Rent-A-Car Leaving the Competition Behind

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) is a Chicago airline system offering connections to many cities worldwide. It is the largest hub of United Airlines and second largest hub of American Airlines. Over the years the O’Hare International Airport has become one of the three busiest airports in the United States. If you’re traveling to Chicago, you have a number of choices for renting hybrid cars for business or pleasure trips.

ACE Rent-A-Car recently upped their fleet of hybrid rentals but still have problems keeping up with demands. While the company is trying to make hybrid car rental in Chicago effortless and therefore allowing you, the traveler, to be more earth friendly, here’s a notice on ACE Rent-A-Car’s website at the time of this article regarding the Toyota Prius Hybrid:

We are sorry, due to exceptional demand, we cannot confirm any additional car rental reservations for the Toyota Prius hybrid. If you are interested in the best gas mileage in you car rental please consider these ACE rental cars with good fuel economy:

Chevy Cobalt – 31 Highway MPG
Ford Focus – 34 Highway MPG
Toyota Camry – 31 Highway MPG
Toyota Corolla – 38 Highway MPG

So it looks like rental car companies are running up against the limit of their relatively small fleets of hybrid rental cars. And this should continue as consumer interests still appear to be strong.

Other car rental companies also vie for your business. On the lower level of the airport near baggage claim you can find courtesy phones to Alamo, Hertz, National, Avis, Budget, Dollar, and Enterprise rental companies which can all help with various types of cars. Alamo, National, and Enterprise together offer a large variety of hybrid rentals. Because these three companies are all owned by the same parent company Enterprise, they may be able to help each other in finding you what you need. Most often the availability is more exclusive when you call and reserve your hybrid rental car in advanced. Reserving in advance your hybrid is the best way to insure you actually have a car available that you want upon your arrival. Hybrid rentals are especially hard to get at the last minute, so good luck if you’re counting on choosing one off the lot. For Enterprise, follow this link directly to their webpage to rent a hybrid car in Chicago.

Here’s what you you’ll do once landed at O’Hare. Go to the lower levels of the Terminals 1, 2 and 3, near the baggage claim areas. There you’ll find signs and courtesy phones to all car rental agencies. If you’re in Terminal 5, then you can find rental car courtesy phones on the lower level there. Like in many major airports, it’s most convenient to just hop on one of the courtesy buses that will take you to specific rental car lots.

Below is the map of O’Hare International Airport, courtesy of flychicago.com. Click on the image to view a high resolution version in PDF. Additional maps and resources can be found at flychicago.com.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Hybrid Car Rentals at O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

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