Enterprise Neighborhood Network to ‘Lift the Veil’ on Electric Vehicles; Introduces One of the Nation’s First Nissan LEAFs

ST. LOUIS, MO–(Marketwire – September 20, 2010) –  Enterprise Rent-A-Car has just received one of the nation’s first Nissan LEAF electric vehicles (EVs). Enterprise will use this initial vehicle to generate awareness of EVs and educate customers and employees about EV rentals and the infrastructure that will support them. 

Following the delivery of this first “demo” vehicle, Enterprise expects to receive 500 Nissan LEAFs, starting in December. The EVs initially will be available to customers across seven markets where the infrastructure exists to support the vehicles, including Phoenix; Nashville, Tenn.; San Diego; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Portland, Ore. and Seattle. Enterprise Rent-A-Car customers will then be able to specifically request an EV when making a reservation. In addition, Enterprise will be adding some of the EVs to its WeCar car-sharing programs.

With more than 5,000 offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, Enterprise will be able to give customers an opportunity for extended EV “test-drives,” as well as a chance to learn more about the charging process. And, in the coming weeks, Enterprise will be bringing the demo vehicle to some of the markets where EVs will be available for rental, to educate employees and customers about the new technology.

With the potential to rent each one of the electric vehicles hundreds of times every year, Enterprise’s neighborhood network enables consumers to experience this emerging technology, right where they live and work.

“There is a certain amount of mystery around electric vehicles,” said Lee Broughton, director of sustainability for Enterprise Holdings, which owns and operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car, along with the Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental brands. “We have a great opportunity to lift the veil on EVs for our customers, and help them understand why they might want to rent or even own an EV as they become available.

“There is no other way to expose so many consumers to this technology so quickly,” Broughton said. “It’s all part of our commitment to use our fleet to help new, clean technologies prove themselves in the marketplace.”

EVs can be charged using a standard 110-volt home outlet, 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. 

The introduction of EVs to the Enterprise fleet is just one facet of the industry’s most comprehensive environmental sustainability platform.

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand with more than 6,000 neighborhood and airport locations in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Germany. Known for exceptionally low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise was named to BusinessWeek’s annual list of “Customer Service Champs” in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Enterprise also has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among North American airport rentals in 10 of the past 11 years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. In addition, Enterprise won Budget Travel magazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Award as their favorite rental car brand for customer service around the globe. Enterprise of North America also is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world’s largest car rental network. Enterprise Holdings, headquartered in St. Louis, owns and operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Enterprise Rideshare vanpooling and WeCar car-sharing through its regional subsidiaries. Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers a wide variety of car leasing, vanpooling, car sharing and hourly rental programs — and local car rental customers are picked up at no extra cost.

To further minimize the environmental impact of car rentals, Enterprise not only offers customers the opportunity to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but also to rent a hybrid vehicle in more than 30 major markets. For more information about Enterprise Holding’s environmental stewardship and long-term commitment to the sustainability of its business, visit www.enterpriseholdings.com/sustainability. For more information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com. This news release and other Rent-A-Car announcements are available at the Enterprise Holdings press room.