September 26, 1999
Rental's to save the world!
It's not as eco-chic as dispensing with your rental car entirely, but California now has two locations where you can rent a natural gas-powered or electric car.
Budget EV (for "environmental vehicles") a joint venture of Budget and EV Rental Cars, started offering eco-cars in Los Angeles in December. Last month, it expanded its operation to the Sacramento airport. The operation plans to expand in California, move into Nevada and Arizona by January and later into Atlanta and Florida.
Electric cars reportedly run quieter and accelerate quicker than gas-juiced rides but can travel only 50 to 150 miles on a charge. Recharging takes one to five hours and is free at recharging stations in LA. and Sacramento.
Natural gas cars are more similar to con-ventional cars but have lower mileage ranges, 150 to 250 miles.
The company has teamed up with Budget Rent-a-Car Systems and plans to boost its Sacramento fleet to 20 vehicles by October.
For more information, customers can call (877) 387-3682; write to EV Rental Cars at 9775 Airport Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045; or visit the company's Web site at www.EVrental.com.
