EV RENTAL CARS FIRST TO RECEIVE NEARLY 40 FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS FOR ITS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FLEET
First American-built Hybrid SUV Available for Rent in the U.S. through Fox Rent A Car

Los Angeles, January 19, 2005

EV Rental Cars, the only environmental based rental car company in the United States, is the first to offer the American-built SUV hybrid vehicle, the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, recently awarded the 2005 North American Truck of the Year. The environmentally friendly and fuel efficient fleet boasts an array of vehicles with locations in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.

Nearly 40 Escape Hybrids, with more being added daily, join the Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Honda Civic natural gas vehicle through EV Rental Cars, now available at Fox Rent A Car at the Los Angeles International Airport. Customers can rent an Escape Hybrid SUV starting at $59 per day.

"We are very excited to debut the Ford Escape Hybrid in a rental car fleet for the first time. We can now offer consumers a chance to try an SUV hybrid before they buy one, and discover how easy they are to operate in everyday driving conditions," says EV Rental Cars CEO Jeff Pink. "Additionally, for people who are concerned about the rising price of gasoline the Ford Escape Hybrid is an alternative choice to the traditional SUV, but one can drive them with a much clearer conscience."

The Ford Escape Hybrid is a full hybrid which reduces exhaust emissions and maximizes fuel efficiency. The vehicle does not have to be "plugged in" to recharge. When running on the gasoline-powered engine, the SUV's electric battery is automatically recharged. In addition, it maintains a versatile cargo area that is not compromised by a large array of batteries. With estimated fuel economy numbers of 35 mpg in city driving, the Escape Hybrid delivers acceleration and performance of a traditional V6 coupled with exhaust emissions lower than almost all other vehicles currently on the market. It was recently lauded as the 2005 Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit by a panel of 50 automotive journalists from U.S. and Canada.

The vehicles were provided by Barber Ford in Ventura, Calif. and made possible with financing from Amalgamated Bank. Amalgamated Bank, known as America's Labor Bank, has provided affordable banking services for individuals, companies, unions and associations for more than 80 years.