The next time your travels necessitate a rental car, consider a hybrid!
With the mega-popularity of hybrid cars right now, many car rental companies are jumping on the green bandwagon. Several “green” rental companies have sprung up in recent years, such as EV Rentals, which offer several types of rental hybrids in smog-ridden places like L.A., Phoenix and D.C. And now the big companies are following suit! Enterprise already has a fleet of over 3,000 hybrids, and both Hertz and Avis have announced the recent addition of the Toyota Prius to their lineups at over 50 U.S. airports.
I like the idea of renting a hybrid for several reasons. First of all, the practical side of me knows that I will save money on gas while I’m using it, and with gas prices as they are right now, those savings could be substantial. But I also like the statement it makes to the locals — that you care enough about the city you are visiting (not to mention planet) to choose this car. If you are like me, you may have already rolled the idea of purchasing a hybrid around in your head. I can’t think of a better way to try one on for size!
If your rental car company doesn’t offer hybrids, be sure to tell them that it is a priority for you as a consumer and that you hope to see them offered in the future. This is a small but effective way to help turn the tide in favor of more sustainable options for all of us.