US Car Hire Gets Green Makeover
Posted on May 22, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard
Car hire companies in the US are proving Kermit the frog wrong. These days it IS easy to be green. In fact it’s simple. Over the past few months, rental firms have been pleasantly surprised by the success of their efforts at becoming more environmentally friendly through carbon-cutting schemes.  Â
Carbon –offsetting initiatives are among the most common approaches by car hire companies trying to limit their environmental impact.   Avis is offering gas/electric hybrid vehicles in subcompact (Toyota Prius), full size (Nissan Altima) and small SUV (Ford Escape). Half of the Avis fleet is rated at 28 miles per gallon (highway) while a quarter is rated at 32 miles per gallon (highway) or better.Â
In addition, Avis also announced this week that it will no longer print customer brochures and marketing material. It is predicted that the initiative will reduce paper consumption by 100 tons per year, saving around 1500 trees a year.Â
Earlier this month, a programme was launched in the US, giving those who rent a car with National, Alamo or Enterprise the opportunity to offset the carbon dioxide generated by their rental car. Under the ‘Keys to Green’ programme, customers were able to make fair but optional donations for worthy environmental causes.Â
Car rental firms then donate funds collected through the donations received from customers to environmentally friendly initiatives, which are aimed at reducing the impact of the most harmful greenhouse gases on the planet.
Written by Fiona Hilliard
About the Author: Fiona likes to travel – especially to cities. Her favourites include: New York, London, Copenhagen, Madrid and Lisbon.
Just don't mention budget airlines, baggage restrictions, airport security queues… Related Posts
Discussion: No Comments
Leave a Reply
