Avis introduces natural gas VW Tourans to its German fleet
Avis Rent A Car is continuing its green expansion in Europe with the addition this month of VW Tourans that run on natural gas to its fleet in 15 German cities. And over in Portugal, Avis' uses 50 hybrids and has reduced CO2 emissions by 50 tons (I'm guessing this is compared to 2004 levels, since the hybrids were introduced in 2005, but I'm not certain). In Scandinavia, Avis is all about ethanol (and hybrids), with "over 400 ethanol-powered Saab 9-5 BioPower cars, 75 Ford Flexi-fuel and 20 Toyota Prius vehicles on its fleet." Avis UK offers carbon offset (using The CarbonNeutral Company) to online bookers.
I like Avis' earlier announcements about downsizing the family car. With clean(er) car rentals and things like car sharing, it's going to get easier and easier for people to have a car when necessary and not pay for it - and not pollute - when they don't. The decision is ours to make.
Related:
[Source: Avis]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TDIMeister 7:56AM (3/01/2007)
Out of the nearly dozen times I've rented a car in Europe, in all but about 4 occasions I have requested and successfully gotten a Diesel-powered car. They have saved me countless amounts of money, not to mention doing a difference on CO2 emissions for a given distance travelled.
Diesel cars make sense for rental companies because in spite of higher taxes, resale values are higher, which can more than offset the up front price premium, especially with higher mileage that fleet vehicles like rentals put on. I'm sure the same can be applied for other alternative-fuelled rentals like Hybrids and NG vehicles. Going green is making good and profitable business sense. I would only be all too pleased if I never again be stuck renting another gasoline car without even asking otherwise.
Reply
TDIMeister 8:00AM (3/01/2007)
P.S. My last rental at Avis was a black Alfa Romeo 147 JTD-M with the 150 HP Diesel engine with 6-speed manual transmission and navigational system. A buddy and me covered just shy of 7000 km over 2 weeks on a roadtrip around Europe which started in Germany to Austria; Switzerland via Italy and the Simplon Pass; France and the Route Napoleon; Barcelona, Spain; back to France; Belgium, Holland and back to Germany.
Reply