Environmentally Conscious City First to Offer Toyota Prius Hybrid-Electric Rentals to Visitors

PALM SPRINGS, CA (December 14, 2000) Ð Budget EV Rental Cars, a joint effort between EV Rental Cars and Budget Rent a Car Corporation, today opened its latest location in the city of Palm Springs, offering the popular Southern California destination community access to a natural gas and hybrid-electric vehicle rental fleet.

"The quality of life and the world-class resorts in Palm Springs draw tourists from around the world to the desert," says Terry OÕDay, vice president of operations and planning of EV Rental Cars. "This program preserves the desertÕs natural beauty for residents and visitors alike."

The new Budget EV Rental Cars at the Palm Springs International Airport is the first rental location in the nation to offer the Toyota Prius. The Prius is a unique hybrid-electric, half gasoline, half electric vehicle that can travel up to 600 miles on a single tank of gasoline and never requires battery recharging from an outside source.

"Today marks an important achievement for our community," says Palm Springs Mayor Will Kleindienst. "Our city has worked very hard to strengthen its commitment to clean air, and to preserve the air quality of the Coachella Valley. We are excited to present a cleaner transportation alternative to our citizens and guests."

In addition to the Toyota Prius, the Budget EV Rental Cars Palm Springs fleet features the Honda Civic GX and Ford Crown Victoria natural gas vehicles and the Nissan Sentra CA, known as the cleanest gasoline-powered car in the world.
Since 1998, EV Rental Cars has prevented more than eight tons of air pollution, conserved 50,000 gallons of gasoline that conventional cars would have guzzled, and saved customers nearly $50,000 in fuel costs, since alternative fuels are less expensive.

Max & Janet Salter driving the new Toyota Prius in Palm Springs
(Photo taken by Ron Bermudez)

(L-R) Myles Bois, Owner Southwest Towing,
Bryant francis, Air Service Development & Public Relations
Coordinator for Palm Springs Airport,
Dick Cromwell, President of Sunline Transit Agency,
Terry O'Day VP of EV Rental
Major Will Kliendienst, Mojor of Palm Springs & CNG Owner,
Gary Winters, General Manager of Budget Rent-A-Car Palm Springs

Major Will Kliendienst driving Toyota Prius at Palm Springs opening