Finding "Green" Rental Cars Made Easy

The demand for fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly rental cars continues to rise, just as the price of gas continues to pinch consumers wallets. The larger car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz and Enterprise all offer "green" vehicles, but availability can vary from city-to-city, as traditional cars make up a larger portion of the overall rental fleet in most cities.

Not the case with EV Rental Cars. Established in 1998, EV Rental Cars was the first company to offer a fleet of all-environmental hybrid-electric vehicles. These cars often get more than 55 miles per gallon, compared to traditional rental cars which average 15-25 mpg. Now drivers have the ability to reduce air pollution while saving money at the pump. As an added bonus, Hybrid vehicles are permitted to drive in the Carpool lane throughout California.

Visit www.evrental.com for more information and to book your next car rental.

Advantage Rent A Car To Offer 100% 'Green' Fleet

In a press release Wednesday, Advantage Rent A Car announced they plan on becoming America's first 100% green rental car fleet. "Our single ownership and nimble fleet size provide us the ability to make a commitment to reduce our carbon footprint in the United States," says Denny Hecker, Chairman of Advantage Rent A Car. "Advantage will offer its customers an environmentally friendly rental alternative, while trying to make a difference in the places where our customers live."

Advantage's commitment is to turn 100% of its fleet "green" over the next 24 months subject to manufacturers' assistance and vehicle availability.

Although the company does not currently offer rentals in the San Francisco Bay Area, they do have more than 100 locations throughout the United States.

What A Traveler Can Do For The Earth

EARTH DAY 2008

Here are some great ideas to help the environment while enjoying your travels.

In Transit:
-Bring an empty water bottle through airport security, then refill it as your journey progresses
-Reuse drinking cups provided by the airlines during beverage service
-Take only brochures and pamphlets you really need
-Use public transportation instead of a rental car. Or use a Hybrid.

-Eat with a conscience; eat local food rather than items imported in by ship or plane
-Recycle

At A Hotel:
-Reuse your towels and linens during your stay
-Keep showers short
-Bring your own toiletries
-Unplug the in room refrigerator/mini bar if you don't plan on using it
-Turn off the lights and TV when leaving the room
-In warm climates, close the drapes to avoid afternoon heating of the room
-Recycle the complimentary newspaper offered by many hotels
-Check-out of the hotel electronically (often using the in-room TV)

Partial Contribution to this story from GreenHotels.com

Emirates Airlines: Shower facilities onboard flights by October

Environmental Impact Yields to Luxury Travel

One of the most luxurious airlines in the world, Emirates, is taking luxury and service to an even higher level. Beginning this October, Emirates will offer onboard shower facilities to first class passengers. The showers will be available on their Airbus A380 aircraft, operating a New York to Dubai route.

But talk about working against eco-friendly travel solutions. The London Times estimates aircraft will need to haul around an extra ton of water per flight, and the extra fuel to move it.

This results in a “carbon cost” of 48,455 pounds for every round trip flight.

It's fantastic technology has evolved to a point which permits people to bath themselves at 40,000 feet...and I suppose passengers paying $15,000+ for a first class flight have a right to it. And of course it would be great to try it and say, "wow!" But hopefully this doesn't become a standard for the que of other Airbus 380 aircraft on wait lists and assembly lines. There are other methods of "wowing" first class passengers that result in less harm on the environment.

Virgin Atlantic makes history flying first bio-fuel plane

Virgin Atlantic Airways made the news yesterday by reportedly flying the world's first airplane to fly on renewable fuel. The Boeing 747 aircraft flew from London's Heathrow Airport to Amsterdam using a biofuel composed of babassu oil and coconut oil. No modifications were made to either the aircraft or its engines to enable the flight to take place.

Commenting just before the flight, Sir Richard Branson, the President of Virgin Atlantic said:
"Today marks a biofuel breakthrough for the whole airline industry. Virgin Atlantic, and its partners, are proving that you can find an alternative to traditional jet fuel and fly a plane on new technology, such as sustainable biofuel. This pioneering flight will enable those of us who are serious about reducing our carbon emissions to go on developing the fuels of the future, fuels which will power our aircraft in the years ahead through sustainable next-generation oils, such as algae."

Story from the Associated Press:


It's important to note that this historic flight however was in fact fueled by 80% conventional fuel and only 20% biofuel. Also, the critics are lined up questioning just how much benefit these fuel alternatives help the planet. Nevertheless, this should be seen as an advancement toward reducing emissions (and saving on the cost of regular jetfuel) and harm to the environment. Let further experiements and research continue. Way to go Virgin Atlantic and partners.