Hybrid cars continue to rise in popularity across the nation. Because of their reputation as fuel-efficient, easy to drive vehicles, hybrid car rental availability has also gone up every year. But are these cars really a better option than conventional cars? The truth is that when all the benefits of a hybrid are weighed against those of a conventional car, the answer is “not necessarily.” Here are a few reasons to not rent a hybrid car.

Increased Fuel Economy?

One of the biggest reasons travelers cite to renting a hybrid car is to save on fuel costs. Because hybrids get more out of each gallon of gas than conventional cars do, one may be led to believe that the slightly greater daily cost will be outweighed by the savings in gasoline. But this is, in fact, not true in many cases. Because most people tend to drive less than a hundred miles per day with a rental car, the savings from using a hybrid are minimal. Really, the only time hybrid cars provide significant savings is if you drive the car in extended stop-and-go urban environment, or on long trips.

Hybrid Rental Rates Remain High

Hybrid cars do cost more per day in rental fees. Because they are more expensive to purchase in the first place, car rental companies have to charge more for those who want to rent them. Even with competition driving down dealer prices for new hybrid cars, hybrid rental rates remain high in the premium range. So without the savings in fuel making up for the difference, renting a hybrid car could mean paying extra money to drive on your next trip.

Learning to Drive a Hybrid in an Unfamiliar City

Additionally, hybrid cars drive very differently than normal cars. For drivers who are already experienced in driving a hybrid, this is not a problem. But to first-timers, hybrid rental cars will seem to have lighter weight, have different controls, and have their own quirks. One such “quirk” is a idle-top feature that are built into many modern hybrids. Idle-stop allows the car engine to shut down at a stoplight or stop sign (whenever the car is at a stop,) thereby cutting down on fuel consumption. This is well and good, but a small problem with this is that hybrid car renters often find themselves in a new location they have never been to before. And while trying out a new car in a familiar area may work out fine, driving a new hybrid in a new city can be challenging for many people. The last thing you want when trying to fumble over maps is to have a car shut off unexpectedly or to  brake differently.

In fact, this instability could lead to unsafe situations. The easiest way to get into an accident is to combine a lack of direction with confusion from driving a new car. And once you put yourself in harm’s way on the road, you are not only risking your own well-being, but also the well-being of others. Stick to what you are comfortable with and stay safe. It’s more important than saving a few bucks on gas, if any.

Non-Hybrid, High MPG Alternatives Are Available

All carmakers now manufacture smaller, highly efficient, non-hybrid car models as well, and car rental companies are making them available for rent, without the premium rental rates. Modern smaller cars, including the economy and compact sizes, are safe, efficient and very reliable. They also come with all the expected amenities such air conditioning, automatic transmission, stereo radio with CD player, many with ABS and airbags. Additionally, companies like Enterprise and Hertz have Carbon Offset programs so that, no matter what a traveler selects to rent, he/she can still participate in helping the environment.

In summary, hybrid cars are the creation of a movement to stop global warming and improve the environment as a whole. As an idea, they are terrific and are the first of hopefully many steps in creating cars that are not dependent on fossil fuels. But as a rental option, they can be cumbersome and a bad choice for many people at least until hybrids are becoming more mainstream. Higher costs, a steep learning curve, and use in unfamiliar territories can lead to unwanted situations. So if you think you’re not ready to rent a hybrid rental car, you’re probably not.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Reasons Why You Should Not Rent a Hybrid Car During Your Travel

Hybrid rental cars have grown in popularity especially in recent years. Once hard to find at airports and rental companies, hybrid cars are now readily available in most major cities. Public awareness and hybrid rental car availability are both improving. But even with better availability, travelers still are unsure about what to make of these fuel-efficient automobiles. Many wonder what the advantages and disadvantages to renting a hybrid are compared to a conventional car. Others feel intimidated and overwhelmed by the new technology and possibly new way of driving. Here are some pros and cons of renting hybrid cars on your next trip.

Fuel Efficiency Issue

The most obvious difference between hybrid and conventional cars is fuel efficiency. Hybrid cars were created to get more mileage out of every gallon of gasoline and, as such, emit much less carbon dioxide into the air. This means that less pollution is produced by these cars than the conventional cars that use strictly just fossil fuel for propulsion. For the environmentally-conscious, it is clear that hybrids are the better choice.

Rental Cost Issue

But for most people, the main deciding factor in renting a car is cost in the form of rental fees and fuel cost. Renting a car while on travel can add a huge dollar amount to the total trip expense. Hybrid cars normally command premium rental rates over conventional cars, especially for the daily rates which can exceed $150 per day including surcharges and fees. Weekend and all-week rental rates seem a little better, dropping to around $70 to $80 per day average. Of course, your rental rates can be slightly offset by the lower fuel costs expected when operating a hybrid, and possible discounts offered in certain travel destinations, such as California, for choosing a hybrid. For the most part, however, conventional cars will cost less for all but those who plan on logging heavy miles during their rental period.

Drivability Issue

An important consideration for many drivers is how safe the cars are and how simple they are to operate. This issue has less to do with the hybrid rental car than with the driver himself or herself. Driving an unfamiliar car can be an undaunted experience for many drivers in a strange locale, especially if the interior controls of the car and the way the car behaves (as in the case of a hybrid) is different than a person is used to. Between finding their ways around a foreign city and dealing with a new way to drive a hybrid, travelers are strongly advised to be fully prepared before they start driving. Here are some differences.

A hybrid car employs a conventional engine to charge up its battery packs, which in turn powers an electric motor to propel the car forward. In addition, many hybrid car models such as the Toyota Prius have an idle-off feature, which automatically shuts off the engine when a car is braked at a red light. This may be a shock to someone not expecting it, but is really a feature to help save additional energy. Once the car is put back into drive, the engine will restart. Another way to save energy is to recoup energy during slow-down and braking, called regen or regenerative braking. So while the car is in motion, as soon as the driver lifts his/her foot from the accelerator pedal, the hybrid car’s regen system kicks in to help slow the vehicle down as it charges up its battery packs.

So if you’ve never driven a hybrid car before, and are looking to rent a hybrid on your next trip, be sure to get help and guidance from the rental attendant at check out. He/she will be glad to walk you through the features and operation of your hybrid rental car. Have a safe and green trip!

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

The Pros and Cons of Renting a Hybrid Car Versus Conventional Car

The one sure sign that shows that the time for clean cars such as hybrid cars has come is the fact that major and independent rental companies are now renting hybrid cars. This means that for your business or personal travels, you can now contribute to the protection of the environment by renting a hybrid car instead of a regular gasoline or diesel car.

The rental car industry plays its part to contribute to air pollution because of their large fleet of vehicles in operation every day. Travelers, both the business and pleasure kinds, rent cars when they go on trips. The cars are most often rented at the destination that you wish to visit. With the exception of some vacationers, most people require rental cars to get around one particular city, so the car will most likely be used for in-city driving and not long-range driving. This makes hybrid cars the perfect choice for rental car use since hybrid cars are most effective in stop-and-go traffic. If you look at the mile-per-gallon ratings of any hybrid car, the city mile per gallon (mpg) is always the higher number.

If you’ve never driven a hybrid car and are planning to rent a hybrid car for the first time, here are a few things you should know.

Availability of Hybrid Rental Cars

Your choice of a rental hybrid car may be very limited, at least for now. Car rental companies normally give you a list of available vehicles to choose from. The hybrid cars you should most likely expect from car rental companies include the well knownToyota Prius hybrid, the Toyota Camry Hybrid and the Ford Escape Hybrid. Also depending on your destination you may also find the Nissan Altima Hybrid offered by some rental companies as well.

You may also come across the Insight hybrid car from Honda, but this car is still very new so fleet sales remain to be seen. Rental companies also have several other hybrid variants you can also choose from such as the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, but this vehicle may be more likely available from independent rental companies than at national branches.

Top rental companies such as Hertz and Enterprise have much larger hybrid fleet than any others, therefore do offer a separate section on their websites. Enterprise has a whole section on green rental cars. Avis Rent A Car and Budget Rent Car allow you to select a hybrid as part of the rental reservation process. For Hertz, click here to read more information on its Green Collection.

Rental Rates

Hybrid car rental rates are definitely higher than conventional cars. Aside from the fact that you know you’re helping the environment when renting a hybrid, for some travelers, the benefits of higher mpg can offset the higher rate disadvantage. At 48 mpg in a Prius, you can go farther on a tank of gas, and won’t need to fill up as much as when you drive a conventional car. In the end, the extra cost of renting a hybrid versus the savings you get out of the reduced fill-ups can only be decided by your own personal travel needs.

Driving a Hybrid

Hybrid cars drive differently compared to normal cars. Hybrid cars are more fuel-efficient because of regenrative braking (regen), all-electric mode, and even idle-stop, among other features.

Regen in a hybrid allows the car to recharge its battery pack when coasting and braking. This feature recovers energy of the moving car during coasting and braking and puts it back into the battery pack, whereas in a conventional car, energy is not recovered during coasting and lost through brake heat during braking.

All-electric mode (EV mode) in a hybrid allows the car to drive for a short distance (about a mile or two) for under 25 mph using only the electric motor. No fuel is used when driving in EV mode. In fact the engine is not on at all in this mode. This important capability adds to the increase in mpg in a hybrid car.

Finally, idle-stop in a hybrid allows the car engine to turn off at stoplights. This helps cut down fuel consumption and engine emissions, and when combined with EV mode, can really enhance the hybrid car mileage performance especially in stop-and-go traffic. New drivers will need to get used to the engine turning off when the hybrid car comes to a stop, and have trust in the control system and the engine to restart when the light turns green and the accelerator pedal is pressed.

So if you’ve never driven a hybrid car before, you can rent one on your next trip. Whether you’re doing your part to help reduce emissions to the environment, or just wanting to try one out as a test drive to see if a hybrid car makes sense for your next car purchase, be sure to get the attendant to give you a full run down on the hybrid car you’re renting. They’re there to help make your driving a rental hybrid car a very good experience.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Renting a Hybrid For the First Time? Tips to Know Before Reserving One

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

Hybrid car rentals have become more popular 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 take this route.

Renting a Hybrid Car: Better Gas Mileage For a Few Dollars More

The automobiles have spewed ton after ton of man-made pollution into the air and atmosphere ever since their creations. This pollution has received more attention now as the source causing global warming and various other earthly ills. As a way to curb and eventually reduce this pollution, many car manufactures have begun producing hybrid cars, and rental car companies have taken serious steps to provide these cleaner cars for the traveling public.

Hybrid cars emit less fuel than conventional cars because they can get more mileage out of a gallon of gasoline. They work by using both a battery and gasoline to power a car. While these cars still emit carbon dioxide, they grossly cut down on the amount dumped into the air. As a product, hybrid cars are more environmentally-friendly than any other transportation method outside of biking and using one’s own two feet. For those looking to help make the world a cleaner place, renting a hybrid during your business or pleasure trips is an obvious positive choice.

In addition, fuel costs is expected to be much lower with a hybrid than it would be with other cars. If a hybrid car can get two to three times as many miles per gallon than a conventional car, you are basically cutting your fuel cost by a half to potentially much more. And 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.

Test Driving a Hybrid Before Buying One? You Bet!

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 these cars are relatively new, it can be scary to invest thousands of dollars into an relatively new technology. Or maybe you’re not sure if a hybrid is for you. Renting a hybrid car allows you to take a spin into a future purchase and see if a hybrid car is really for your daily use. More to the point, keeping a rental hybrid car for a long period of time, such as a week or two, can allow you to see exactly how much you would save on fuel, and to see if you even like to drive such car. With a Toyota Prius or Honda Insight delivering around 40 to 50 miles per gallon currently, it’s hard not to at least consider the possibility.

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 thirty to forty thousand dollars on a car, it is important to know whether or not you like driving it. Using hybrid car rentals to try out the hybrid car features is an important advantage.

So hybrid rental cars can prove useful for many travelers. For those who want to be more eco-friendly, hybrid rental cars offer lower emissions less than the normal car. For those who want to save on fuel money, hybrid rental cars offer better fuel-efficiency. And for those looking to perhaps buy a hybrid, hybrid rental cars offer a cheap tryout without the car salesman. Now there’s a perfect reason to rent a hybrid on your next trip.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Reasons Why Your Next Rental Car Should Be a Hybrid

Reserve a Hybrid Rental Car at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest international airport in the United States with a land size of 53 square miles (140 km²). DEN is also an extremely busy airport with over 51 million travelers moving through its terminals in 2008. On the ground transportation front, the Denver International Airport makes it easy and attractive for you to rent a hybrid car in Denver by providing easy access to the top car rental companies in the business. 

Hybrid car rental is becoming increasingly popular among the United States airports, and this definitely holds true at Denver international. Home to eleven different car rental companies, Denver International Airport does its best to keep renting hybrid as simple as possible. While not all of the companies that work with the Airport offer hybrid rentals, Enterprise, Alamo, Hertz, and National rental companies do offer the green alternative. According to the Denver Business Journal in an article published on December 3, 2008, Enterprise “is putting about 100 hybrid vehicles at its Denver International Airport branch, which will be designated as the company’s second “hybrid branch.” For customers who want to reserve hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry hybrid and the Ford Escape, they can do so either online or by phone.

As always reserve your hybrid rental car for Denver International Airport at least two weeks in advanced or even earlier to increase your chance of getting one. With fleets of hybrid rental cars being limited in size in may cases, it is an extremely good idea to try and secure your reservation as early you can.

At a price not much more than a regular car rental, going green can be a responsible thing to do. You can find hybrid rentals near the Denver International Airport for as low as seventy dollars a day at some places and it can vary from there to three hundred depending of course on the make and model of the hybrid rental you’re interested in, the date, and the time that you are renting the car.

Even if you can’t get a hybrid during your travel due to unavailability, you can still be green by paying a small fee ($1.25)  to help offset your carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint. Enterprise and sister companies National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car offer the carbon offset program, which is managed by Terrapass. TerraPass carbon offset program allows consumers to easily and affordably eliminate the environmental impact of driving their cars by purchasing carbon emission offsets. Head more about Terrapass carbon emission offset program.

Here’s another reason to rent hybrid cars while traveling. It’s an excellent way to test drive new hybrid cars! Not only will they shrink your carbon footprint while also reducing fuel costs that go along with going green, test driving a hybrid rental car rather than a hybrid off of a dealership lot actually eliminates the pestering car salesman from the experience. How about that?

So here’s what you do when arriving at at Denver International Airport. Whichever gate you’re coming in from, find your way to Jeppesen Terminal Level 5, where you’ll find bus pickups to car rental lots on Island 4. All graphics courtesy Denver International Airport.

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Hybrid Rental Cars at Denver International Airport

Post from: Airport Hybrid Rentals

Sitemap