Enterprise to rent out Nissan electrics

(July 29, 2010) Enterprise Rent-A-Car said Tuesday it plans to buy 500 electric cars from Nissan starting in January 2011.

The company says it plans to spend an estimated $12.8 million on its new electric vehicle fleet. Each Nissan LEAF retails for about $33,000, but Enterprise will receive a $7,500 federal tax credit per vehicle, said Lisa Martini, a company spokeswoman.

The St. Louis-based car rental giant said it will initially roll out the Nissan LEAFs, which use no gasoline and do not produce greenhouse gas emissions, in eight markets: Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Knoxville and Nashville, Tenn.; San Diego; Los Angeles; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle.

Enterprise said it is introducing the Japanese electric vehicles to a limited number of branches so it can properly train its employees to show customers how to use and charge the vehicles.

The cars can be charged using a standard 110-volt home outlet, or a 220-volt or 440-volt commercial charging station. Leaf electric vehicles can travel about 100 miles on a single charge, accommodating the travel habits of a daily commuter who drives an average of about 40 miles a day according to Nissan.

Beginning November 2010, Enterprise said it will install charging stations at some of its locations, including several of the Enterprise “hybrid branches,” or nearly 100 designated locations that offer hybrids and other environmentally friendly rental options in 30 different markets.

Enterprise said it plans to offer customers electric vehicles from other manufacturers as they become available.

(Source: St. Louis Business Journal)