The travel industry is undergoing a green transformation, and car rental companies are at the forefront. As gas prices climb, consumers are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint and the cost-effectiveness of their travel choices. This has led to a surge in interest for fuel-efficient rental cars.
Current Eco-Friendly Rental Options
Several major rental companies have taken significant steps to cater to this eco-conscious market:
- Avis Budget Group has initiated a pilot program at New York’s LaGuardia Airport featuring the Chevy Volt electric car. Additionally, they offer a range of vehicles https://syouzikiya.jp/ certified by the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, which recognizes cars for their lower emissions and environmental impact.
- Enterprise has integrated Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt electric cars into its fleet at 50 locations, as well as in its car-sharing programs. Alamo, part of the Enterprise Holdings, also provides electric options. Overall, Enterprise boasts over 400 vehicles in its alternative fuel fleet.
- Hertz Rent-A-Car has introduced electric vehicles in key cities across the U.S. and internationally, including New York, San Francisco, Washington, China, London, and Switzerland. Hertz is also exploring innovative technologies like wireless charging stations to enhance the electric car rental experience.
As the availability of charging stations improves, rental agencies are increasingly open to incorporating electric vehicles into their offerings.
The Market Shift: Sales and Expectations
The market for electric and hybrid vehicles has seen a significant uptick in recent years. In 2010, the United States saw the sale of 400 electric and 274,000 hybrid cars. By 2011, electric car sales jumped to 12,700, despite a slight dip in hybrid sales to 268,000, largely due to production disruptions from the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. Looking ahead, experts anticipate that by 2017, sales could reach 100,000 electric and over one million hybrid cars. [Source: U.S. Department of Energy]
Hotel Industry’s Support for Electric Vehicles
The hospitality sector is also embracing the eco-friendly movement:
- Element Hotels, a Starwood brand, now provides charging stations, as do many other Starwood properties, including six locations in Hawaii.
- Marriott International has installed 45 electric car charging stations across 22 properties.
- Kimpton Hotels offers free or discounted parking to guests driving hybrid vehicles, across its network of 52 hotels.