Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced its plan to offer electronic vehicles (EVs) in the U.S., available for delivery in January 2011 and continuing throughout the year. Starting with 500 Nissan LEAFs, which will be available in select markets at more than 5,000 locations, the company will have EVs from other manufacturers as they become available.
Electronic vehicles use no gasoline and do not produce greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, they can be charged with a standard 110-volt home outlet or a 220- or 480-volt commercial charging station. Most EVs are capable of 100 miles on a charge, for a commuter who drives an average of 40 miles a day.
Initially, Enterprise will offer electric vehicles in eight cities, whose infrastructure can support the vehicles. On the West Coast are San Diego, Los Angeles, Portland and Seattle. Other parts of the country include Phoenix and Tucson and Knoxville and Nashville, TN. Starting in November, almost 100 Enterprise "hybrid branches" will be among the first charging stations installed, where hybrids and other environmentally friendly rental options will be offered in 30 different markets. The company decided to limit the amount of cities so that it can train its employees to show customers how to use and charge their EVs.
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