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The all-electric Citroen C-Zero is available in France with Alamo/National and uses an ordinary plug for recharging
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Is the eco-friendly car rental revolution finally taking off? Peter Ellegard investigates – and finds a divided industry
ith the public becoming ever more eco-aware, the car rental industry is
steadily climbing aboard the green bandwagon. But while some rental companies and agencies are flying the eco flag by offering fuel-efficient hybrids as well as electric cars, others say they have no plans to follow suit. Both Dollar Thrifty Europe international sales and marketing managing director Tom Knopek and Your Car Hire managing director Ruth Bligh cite limited demand from the public for not doing so. “We get very few, if any, enquiries
with regards to green cars. Much of the hype is lip service to the green bandwagon,” says Bligh. “Green cars are more
expensive, they are in short supply and the hiring public are, on the whole, not interested. It comes down to price and value for money at the end of the day.” This is what companies that do offer green machines say on the subject:
Affordable Car Hire According to commercial director Nick Marney, the company is seeing “a massive change” in consumer awareness and demand, with suppliers investing in electric cars in city centres. Marney says: “We plant a tree for every green rental highlighted with a symbol on the client’s booking, by working with the Trees for Cities charity. More than 140,000 trees have been planted. “We work with a number of suppliers around the world which supply hybrid, electric and eco-friendly cars – Europcar and Alamo have invested heavily in this market and supply us all their models. We also work with the first green car hire company in the UK, Green Motion.” What’s offered: Hybrid and
electric cars in the UK, Spain, France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, as well as the US. Affordable’s aim is to have a green car in every rental location.
Alamo/National National first introduced low-emission vehicles in 2006 and has continued to expand its green fleet. Its Gamme Verte (Green Fleet) programme in France features vehicles emitting less
than 140g/km of CO2 covering 65% of the fleet at 80% of locations. The two sister companies have started offering electric vehicles, with the all-electric Citroen C-Zero introduced in France last year. Neil Summerville, EMEA Franchising
director, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, says electric vehicles work well in city centres because of the introduction and access to recharging points. He adds: “However, these are limited and currently only available in key cities and some airport locations such as Paris and London.” What’s offered: There are 250 electric
Citroen C-Zero vehicles available in Paris and other French cities. The C-Zero uses an ordinary plug, so recharging is easy. National and Alamo also both offer other eco-friendly models, including the Toyota Prius and Auris hybrids, in a number of locations.
Sixt More than half of Sixt’s fleet is below
120g/km of CO2, with 11% below 99g/km, making them congestion charge-exempt and giving fuel consumption of 40mpg or better. The company says that, while electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular, they still need fossil fuels to generate the electricity. “While this technology evolves to be
widely available and a viable alternative to petrol and diesel cars, we are using a range of clean diesel and BlueMotion
vehicles to reduce our CO2 emissions,” says a spokesman. What’s offered: Electric cars are available in Norway and Denmark. This summer Sixt is expanding its electric fleet in Copenhagen to 20 vehicles, where parking is free for electric cars. Hybrid cars are offered in Helsinki and, from this month, in Copenhagen. Mercedes Benz natural gas (Ergas) cars are offered in Sweden.
Avis Avis has introduced hundreds of new, environmentally friendly cars, such as the VW Golf 1.6 TDi
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