Riding Green: Reviewing Avis' earth friendly fleet - 228
Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 6:17PM Avis offers a small fleet of hybrids in their Cool Car Eco-Ride Program and a larger fleet of vehicles, including 100% of Avis’ subcompact, compact, and intermediate class cars, that carry the EPA’s SmartWay Certified designation. The electronic toll collector in the vehicle allowed me the convenience of not having to stop and idle at the toll as well as avoiding the GHG emissions that are associated with toll collection stops. Avis also has many corporate sustainability initiatives including reusing 80% of the wastewater from the new car wash systems, recycling used motor oil, oil filters, parts and brake cleaner fluids, and a partnership with carbonfund.org in order for customers to offset their rental car carbon emissions.
Upon arrival at the car, it was already running with the air conditioning on. I drove the car 233 miles (mostly highway) and used up 1/2 of the 19 gallon tank. About 25 mpg. Avis indicates that a GPS also helps to decrease emissions by reducing drivers getting lost; however this feature is not standard. Information on the website about Avis’ green initiatives is hard to find, and does not provide clear information as to how to search for and reserve a SmartWay certified vehicle.
Avis’ efforts are valiant, but their implementation needs a lot of work. From the website, to the education of the staff, the company is not able to provide customers a streamlined experience in order to reduce their carbon footprint while renting a car.
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