Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced in July that it will further integrate alternative power vehicles into its fleet by adding 500 Nissan LEAFs, and the car rental agency has just received one of the nation’s first Nissan LEAFs. Marking the occasion, the company began educating customers and employees about electric vehicle (EV) rentals and the infrastructure that will support them. Enterprise will use the test vehicle to generate excitement for the initial EV deployment through a series of public “sneak peek” opportunities. The Nissan LEAF test vehicle will be traveling to select markets, starting in Los Angeles.
Enterprise initially will offer EVs to customers across seven markets where the infrastructure will exist to support the vehicles, including Los Angeles; San Diego; San Francisco, Portland, OR; Seattle; Phoenix; and Nashville, TN. The LEAFs will also be added to select Enterprise WeCar car-sharing programs.
The first EVs available for rent will begin arriving in December in select markets. Enterprise Rent-A-Car customers will then be able to specifically request an EV when they make a reservation.
EVs can be charged using a standard 110-volt home outlet, or a 220-volt home or public charger, or 480-volt commercial “fast” charging station. Most EVs can travel about 100 miles on a single charge, accommodating the travel habits of the daily commuter, who drives an average of approximately 40 miles a day.