Public Natural Gas Fueling Station Opens At Pittsburgh International Airport
Budget EV Rental Cars To Open Pittsburgh's First Clean Fuel Rental Fleet
Pittsburgh, PA (October 26,2000) - Budget EV Rental Cars, a joint effort between EV Rental Cars and Budget Rent a Car Corporation will introduce 10 Honda Civic GX natural gas vehicles (NGVs) for rental at Pittsburgh International Airport as part of the opening of the first public natural gas fueling station located adjacent to the Sunoco station at the airport.
Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities coordinated the construction of the public natural gas refueling station. Clean Cities representative Chuck DiPietro said, "Opening this station fits the airport's reputation of being an innovator and aviation director of the airport Kent George was instrumental in making the project a reality." Physical construction of the station began in June. The natural gas fueling station is a public station and is operated by Equitable Gas. It will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NGVs in the Pittsburgh region now total more than 500 and are served by a network of 25 natural gas fueling stations.
DiPietro noted the partnership with Budget EV Rental furthers the goals of Clean Cities by directly reducing mobile emission while developing the market for alternative fueled vehicles. "We anticipate the ten vehicles will total 150,000 clean miles per year."
According to James S. Demb, Director of External Affairs of EV Rental Cars, "We have had great success renting NGVs at airports in the West." "Our customers have found NGVs are reliable and a smart choice for those concerned about the environment and the high cost of gasoline."
EV Rental Cars is the first and only company in the United States that rents only natural gas, electric, and hybrid vehicles to the general public. The company has eight locations with Budget Rent A Car in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Beverly Hills, San Diego, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Ontario. The company's environmental rental fleet accumulated its one millionth mile on October 18, equivalent to 8 tons of air pollution prevention. The Honda Civic GX is considered the cleanest internal combustion vehicle in the world. Emissions for all 25 NGV Honda Civics are less than the emission from one low emission vehicle.
"Adding the Pittsburgh location further demonstrates how we lead the industry in offering successful environmental vehicle rental option," said Mark Sotir, president, Budget Rent A Car. "Renters of our alternative fuel cars have saved nearly $50,000 in fuel costs so far."
Honda, Chrysler, Ford, GM, and Toyota now have natural gas vehicles available as standard order items. A gallon of natural gas provides the identical performance and range to a gallon of gasoline. Natural gas has a 130 octane rating so only one grade is needed for any vehicle. The cost for a gallon of natural gas at the PIA station is expected to be $1.08.
Stakeholders in the Clean Cities Coalition include representatives from over 30 local public and private organizations. The program serves as a clearinghouse for information about foundation and government grant incentives and programs. Federal and State grant monies and tax incentives for alternative fuels programs are significant and readily available.
Details of the October 26 NGV station opening include:
9:30 a.m. Meet at Airport Marriott Lobby for transportation to CNG station
10:30 a.m. Refueling Demonstration
11:30 a.m. Budget EV Rental Cars Announcement and demonstration and test drives of the NGV Honda Civic at the CNG station.
12:00 Noon Lunch and Technical Seminar-Airport Marriott Symposium on the latest developments in the alternative fuel vehicle market.
Commercial fleet owners and operators are welcome to attend. For more information contact 412.264.8190 Want to rent one of our vehicles now? Go to our Reservations page. Close this window to return to the EV Rental Homepage.
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