HONOLULU, HI–(Marketwire – August 21, 2009) - Enterprise Rent-A-Car is designating four rental locations in Hawai’i as “hybrid branches” — part of an ongoing nationwide effort that includes nearly 100 rental locations in 30 major markets across the U.S. The designated “hybrid branches” have a higher concentration of hybrids available and customers will be able to reserve these hybrids online or by phone.

Enterprise made the announcement today at a press conference hosted by Gov. Linda Lingle and the Hawai’i Department of Transportation at the Hawai’i Convention Center, as part of Hawai’i's celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Statehood, commemorating the state’s rich history as well as its plans for a sustainable future.

Enterprise is home to the world’s largest fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles. The designation of the hybrid locations in Hawai’i is part of a larger effort that added nearly 5,000 hybrid vehicles to the company’s nationwide fleet earlier this year. Hybrids have a number of environmental benefits, including better fuel economy, less fuel consumption and fewer emissions than traditional vehicles.

The four hybrid branches are located at:

• Honolulu: 677 Ala Moana Blvd., #101
• Kailua: 345 Hahani St.
• Maui: 40 Hana Highway, Kahului
• Waikiki: 1778 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 202

“The ability to choose an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient vehicle is important to many of our customers here in Hawai’i,” said Paul Kopel, vice president and general manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Hawai’i. “Increasing the number of hybrid vehicles in our fleet means customers can reserve them online from our hybrid branches, making the process that much more convenient.”

Nationwide, Enterprise operates nearly 100 hybrid locations, including at the 10 busiest airports for business travelers in the United States, as well as rental offices in the following markets: California (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno); New York (Albany, Buffalo, New York City, Rochester); Colorado (Denver, Boulder); Florida (Orlando, Tampa); Oregon (Eugene, Portland); Texas (Austin, Dallas, Houston); Virginia (Newport News, Roanoke, Richmond, Norfolk); Atlanta; Boston; Detroit; Minneapolis; Philadelphia; St. Louis; Seattle and Washington, D.C.

Use the banner below to get the best hybrid rental deals.

“As we strive to build a cleaner, more sustainable Hawai’i, we welcome opportunities to work with the business community to offer more options to our local communities. Increasing the number of hybrid vehicles in Hawai’i — along with the benefits they bring in terms of lower fuel consumption and fewer greenhouse gas emissions — are an important step toward our preferred future,” said Sen. J. Kalani English, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs and Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment.

Customers can reserve a hybrid from any of the designated “hybrid branch” rental locations online at www.enterprise.com or by calling 1-800-RENT-A-CAR. In Hawai’i, customers can choose hybrids such as the Honda Civic and Insight, or the Toyota Prius.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s investment in more hybrid vehicles is an important, positive step toward a more sustainable future for our community. This is a great example of how much there is to gain from working with the private sector to increase sustainable transportation options throughout the state,” said House Speaker Calvin Say.

Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares said, “Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s hybrid branches provide another practical way for residents and visitors alike to be ‘greener’ in their daily lives. I’m thrilled with Enterprise’s ongoing investment in sustainable transportation and ‘green’ living options to create a more sustainable Maui.”

Enterprise, which has served customers in Hawai’i since 1994, has grown to 20 home-city branches throughout the state, and five airport locations in Hilo, Kona, Honolulu, Maui and Lihue, Kauai. The local branches employ 180 local full-time employees; 102 of those attended local colleges and universities.

The designation of hybrid branches nationwide continues Enterprise’s environmental commitment to growing the market for alternative fuels and technologies. Enterprise Holdings, which owns the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental brands, has the industry’s most comprehensive environmental sustainability platform that includes:

• Embracing new, clean technologies – In addition to the focus on hybrids, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has designated eight “E85/FlexFuel” branches where as much as 30 percent of the local fleets are FlexFuel vehicles capable of using E85 (a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline). In addition, Enterprise fuels those vehicles from nearby E85 fueling stations.
• The world’s largest fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles – Nearly 450,000 cars in the combined Alamo, Enterprise and National fleet average a highway fuel efficiency rating of at least 28 mpg or better; nearly 230,000 average 32 mpg or better; and nearly 425,000 have earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay certification mark — a distinction the EPA grants to vehicles that emit relatively low levels of both regulated pollutants and greenhouse gases such as CO2.
• Customer Carbon Offsets – Alamo, Enterprise and National customers can offset the CO2 emissions of their rental cars by opting to pay $1.25 per rental to fund certified offset projects through TerraPass. The company’s charitable foundation will match customer contributions dollar-for-dollar, up to $1 million. In the first year, the carbon offset program generated $440,000 and offset 42,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
• Research – In 2007, the company’s owners, the Taylor family of St. Louis, donated $25 million to create the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels, where top scientists are working on alternatives to finite fossil fuels by finding new ways to create fuel from renewable, reliable plant sources.
• Conservation – The company’s charitable foundation has pledged $50 million to plant 50 million trees over 50 years through the 50 Million Tree Pledge, a public/private/nonprofit partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. Trees are being planted on public lands in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

All told, over the past several years Enterprise Holdings and the Taylor family have contributed or pledged more than $120 million to environmental initiatives. For more information about the full environmental platform, visit www.keystogreen.com.

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in St. Louis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand operating neighborhood and airport rental locations in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Germany. In addition, Enterprise of North America is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world’s largest car rental network.

Enterprise, which has more than 5,000 neighborhood branch offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, picks up local customers at no extra cost. Known for its exceptionally low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise was named to BusinessWeek’s annual list of “Customer Service Champs” in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Enterprise also has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among airport rentals in nine of the past 10 years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. For more information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Enterprise Rent A Car Offers Hybrid Rentals in Hawaii

From Enterprise April 28, 2009 Press Release.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Doubles Number of Hybrids in Fleet; Establishes ‘Hybrid Branches’ at Four Virginia Airports

Customers Can Reserve Hybrids at Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond and Roanoke Airports Online or by Phone; High Demand for Fuel-Efficient Vehicles Sparks Increased Availability, Convenience

RICHMOND, VA–(Marketwire – April 28, 2009) – Enterprise Rent-A-Car is designating four airport rental locations in Virginia as “hybrid branches” — part of a broader move that adds nearly 5,000 additional gas/electric hybrids to its nationwide fleet. The designated “hybrid branches” have a high concentration of the new hybrids available and customers will be able to reserve these hybrids online or by phone.
Enterprise already was home to the world’s largest fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles. The addition of nearly 5,000 hybrid vehicles more than doubles the number of hybrids the company owns. Hybrids can achieve greater fuel economy, use less gasoline and have fewer emissions than traditional vehicles.
Across Virginia, the hybrid branches are located at:

• Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport
• Norfolk International Airport
• Richmond International Airport
• Roanoke Regional Airport

Read more at Marketwire’s “Enterprise Rent-A-Car Doubles Number of Hybrids in Fleet; Establishes ‘Hybrid Branches’ at Four Virginia Airports.”

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Founded in 1957 and headquartered in St. Louis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand with the largest fleet of passenger vehicles in the world today, more than 700,000 cars and trucks. Enterprise also operates a network of 7,000 neighborhood and airport rental locations in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Germany. Enterprise of North America is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world’s largest car rental network.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Doubles Number of Hybrids in Fleet