Bio-Rentals Make a Difference
Eco-friendly cars are slowly making inroads (no pun intended) into the hearts of modern drivers thanks to advances in technology, government incentives, and the widespread popularity of breathable air. But there are still an awful lot of cars on the road that rely solely on petroleum products for locomotion, which means every year our atmosphere becomes more polluted with the tons of carbon emissions that these vehicles produce. And while individuals are slowly changing their minds about the type of cars that appeal to them and the future they want to create for their kids, the process is bound to be slow going unless larger organizations jump on board. Luckily, broader efforts seem to be underway in cities around the world, with trials involving biodiesel buses and green alternatives for trucking popping up here and there. And car rental companies that are adding eco-friendly vehicles to their fleets are another good step.
Most rental organizations, including big names like Hertz and Avis, now offer green rental options for customers looking for alternatives to the gas-guzzling polluters of yesteryear. However, you’ll be hard pressed to find any of the big boys offering an electric car. Of course, the problem here is that customers unfamiliar with the area they are visiting (probably the majority of people renting cars) may have a tough time finding charging stations. So it’s not surprising that hybrids (both compacts and SUVs) are the best you can get from the big-name rental companies. It’s rather surprising that they’ve offered even that much, but apparently there is enough demand to motivate them to expand their lines, which is rather heartening in and of itself.
There are also some rental companies that have made efforts to be even greener. Bio-Beetle Eco Rental Cars in Maui, HI, for example, has made it their mission to be the greenest rental car company in the world. They aim to help travelers make better choices for themselves and the planet with every car they offer, and to that end, all of their cars get 35-50 miles per gallon thanks to alternative fuel (biodiesel) and hybrid engines. And they even go so far as to offer zero-emission electric cars, with the addition of the Nissan Leaf to their fleet (proving that it can be done)! Granted, they operate their business on an island, so even if there are only limited public charging stations available it is unlikely that the renter who plans ahead will run out of charge. But with more and more automakers competing in this arena, it won’t be long before charging stations become more widely available and electric vehicles can go greater distances (the Leaf, for example, now has a range of about 100 miles on a full charge).
The point is that there are rental car companies out there doing their part for a cleaner environment; and as more people support them, chances increase that the message will spread and larger companies will take the hint. Rental cars are only a small part of a much bigger problem plaguing our planet, but considering that the eco-friendly movement is beginning to take root in automobile adjacent industries, it may not be long before others (like the pollution-heavy shipping industry) follow suit.