Hiring an Eco Car From a Rental Company

How to:

Many car rental companies have gradually added more green vehicles to their rental fleets. We examine a few of the options available to drivers keen to hire a green car

Hiring: Hybrid

Two types of green vehicle are generally available. By far the most popular is the low-emissions vehicle, typically a hybrid. Hybrid vehicles normally combine a small-capacity internal combustion engine designed to be as efficient as possible with an electric-drive system.

Hybrid vehicles normally use regenerative braking, in which the act of braking is used to generate electricity that is stored in batteries for re-use when you want to accelerate. Acceleration is provided through the use of an electric motor, which can at times be the sole source of drive and at other times is used to boost the acceleration provided by the internal combustion engine.

Hiring a Zero Emission Car

Zero-emissions vehicles come in a multitude of packages. Though everything from solar-powered to hydrogen-fuelled vehicles have long existed in experimental form, most members of the public, especially if they're looking to rent a car, will generally only deal with electric.

Electric vehicles are increasingly popular, thanks partially to the fact that many of the compromises have been eliminated. Drivers are increasingly attracted to the idea of an urban runabout for short daily journeys that offers cleanliness, silence and cheap recharging at home.

Eco Car Hire Choices

Choices of vehicle available to hirers can include the VW Golf 1.6 TDi 105ps BlueMotion and the BlueMotion SE model. These diesel-engined Golfs generate as little as 99g/km of CO2. The SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive 1.4 TDi produces only 98g/km of carbon dioxide and is another popular make.

Many of the well-known international names in car hire offer at least one green car in their fleet. Some offer several choices. In addition, many green-motoring hire companies have sprung up, eager to exploit this expanding market niche.

Other green options when hiring an eco car include the VW Passat BlueMotion, which isn't the cleanest of eco cars thanks to its bigger weight, but at 1,527 miles, it does hold the world record for the longest distance driven on a single tank of fuel. If you need a bigger car but are still keen on both economy and the environment, the Passat BlueMotion could be a solid choice.

Hiring an Electric Car

If you're looking for zero-emissions vehicles, however, most major rental brands won't be able to help you. For now, the availability of electric rental cars remains rather limited but increasingly rental companies are offering the likes of the Citroen C1 ev'ie, a four-seat electric car that can hit 60mph and has a range of 75mph.

Benefits of Hiring an Eco Car

Electric car hire is likely to become poplar in London in the coming years as drivers get to enjoy a range of benefits such as free parking, free recharging at designated points and free entry to the congestion zone. Not to mention significantly lower fuel costs.