BMW Launches Flexible Mobility Program For i3 Electric Car

BMW i3 at DC fast-charging station

It's not a new idea, but it's one that carries a certain allure: Let the buyers of an electric car borrow a different vehicle for those few times a year when they need to travel long distances.

Loaner programs have been offered by a number of electric-car makers, including Fiat for its 500e car in California.

But the details are challenging to work out, which is why BMW took six months to launch its Flexible Mobility program for BMW i3 buyers.

Now those details are out, as laid out in a post by noted BMW electric-car advocate Tom Moloughney on his personal blog.

BMW i3

Unlike Fiat, which provides $500 in credits for rental cars from Alamo, Enterprise, or National to its 500e buyers through rental-car locations, BMW has chosen to administer its program primarily through its own dealers.

That required the company to get the dealers to opt in to offering loaner cars--and the language that the program is available only at "participating BMW i Sales Centers."

If a BMW i3 owner isn't near a participating dealer, BMW will provide credits at a nearby car-rental agency.

Interestingly, BMW dealers require i3 owners to return the loaner cars with a full tank of gas (as do rental-car companies), a mandate that Chevrolet apparently doesn't impose on Volt owners who get loaner cars when their vehicles are in for service.

2014 BMW i3 in Vancouver, Canada [photo: Don Chandler]

BMW dealers who sell substantial volumes of its electric cars are most likely to opt into the program.

United BMW Roswell in Atlanta, for instance, offers a BMW ICE or i3 REX to i3 owners who need to use one, up to a cap of 14 days per calendar year.

The dealer notes that it doesn't have unlimited numbers of loaners, and requests that owners return the REx range-extended model with a full gas tank (all 1.9 gallons of it).

Overall, BMW i3 owners have had mixed reactions to the Flexible Mobility program on reading about it--but it'll take a few months to see how it plays out in practice.

Source: Green Car Reports

Need A Rental Car? Try the Nissan Leaf At Santa Monica Enterprise

Enterprise Rent-A-Car now offers customers the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle (EV) for daily and weekly rental at its 1702 Santa Monica Blvd. rental location in Santa Monica, California. Enterprise also has installed a charging station at the same location through Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) manufacturer ClipperCreek.

We’re making the Nissan LEAF available to local customers who are simply curious about the EV driving experience, those who are considering buying an EV, and those who want a fuel-efficient car rental option. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to be a leader in the electrification of the car rental and transportation industries.

—Greg Tabak, director of business sales in Southern California for Enterprise Holdings

Enterprise recently announced plans to add 500 Nissan LEAF EVs at select locations throughout its neighborhood network and through its WeCar car-sharing program throughout this year. In addition, Enterprise earlier this year became the first to offer rentals of Chevrolet Volt extended-range EVs to customers at its Ontario, Calif., rental location.

With more than 5,500 offices located within 15 miles of 90% of the US population, Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers a wide variety of car leasing, vanpooling, car sharing and hourly rental programs.

Source: Green Car Congress

Enterprise Rent-A-Car To Offer Chevrolet Volt

PRESS RELEASE

Jan. 6, 2011 (St. Louis)– Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced today that it will be the first to offer Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicles (EVs) for daily and weekly rentals later this month. The Volt vehicles – the “2011 Motor Trend Car of the Year®” – will be available at the Mark Christopher Auto Center in Ontario, Calif., along with a new charging station.

There are more than 5,000 Enterprise Rent-A-Car neighborhood and airport offices, including the Mark Christopher Auto Center site, located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. As Enterprise Rent-A-Car continues to add EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles throughout its network, more customers will have an opportunity to try the new technology for consideration of purchase, out of curiosity, or to choose an environmentally friendly car rental option. It also gives customers a chance to learn more about the charging process.

“Purchase demand for electric vehicles has been impressive, and we anticipate similar demand from rental customers,” said Jeff Morrell, vice president of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. “Making the Volt available will provide an extended test drive for curious customers, for those with cars being serviced and for those interested in possibly purchasing an EV.”

Additional EVs will be offered at other Enterprise locations as manufacturers make them available. For example, 500 Nissan LEAFs will be available at select Enterprise locations nationwide, and on-site charging stations will be installed to support the vehicles. Charging stations already have been installed at Enterprise offices in Los Angeles, San Diego and Santa Monica, Calif.

EVs can be charged using a standard 110-volt home outlet, or a 220-volt home or public charger, or 480-volt commercial “fast” charging station. Most EVs can travel about 100 miles on a single charge, accommodating the travel habits of the daily commuter, who drives an average of approximately 40 miles a day. However, an extended-range EV like the Volt can travel further due to an on-board gas-powered generator.

“By embracing new, clean fuel and engine technologies like electric vehicles, Enterprise can help the passenger vehicle remain relevant by giving alternatives a chance to become commercially successful,” said Lee Broughton, director of sustainability for Enterprise Holdings, which owns and operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car, along with the Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental brands.

“We're committed to using our fleet and industry-leading network as a sort of ‘petri dish’ to promote new alternatives and prove their feasibility in the marketplace,” Broughton noted.

The introduction of EVs to the Enterprise Holdings fleet is just one facet of the industry’s most comprehensive environmental sustainability platform, and a part of the company’s broader, long-term strategy to embrace alternative technologies and bring viable solutions to the marketplace. With annual revenues of $12.6 billion and more than 68,000 employees, Enterprise Holdings owns and operates, through its regional subsidiaries, more than 1 million cars and trucks, making it the largest car rental company in the world measured by revenue, employees and fleet. Enterprise Holdings is ranked No. 17 on the Forbes “Top 500 Private Companies in America” list.

“Our partnership with Enterprise is all about providing the best possible service,” said Chris Leggio, president of Mark Christopher Auto Center. “The Volt incorporates brand-new vehicle technology. So, as our customers become familiar with the vehicles, we’re excited that Enterprise can offer the Volt for rental, providing a seamless and convenient customer service experience at our facility.”

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand operating in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Germany. Known for exceptionally low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise was named to BusinessWeek’s annual list of “Customer Service Champs” in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Enterprise has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among North American airport rentals in 10 of the past 11 years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. In addition, Enterprise won Budget Travel magazine’s 2010 Readers’ Choice Award as their favorite rental car brand for customer service around the globe. Enterprise also received a 2010 Business Traveler Innovation Award – sponsored by the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) and The Wall Street Journal – for its outstanding and original environmental efforts in the travel industry.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car offers a wide variety of car leasing, vanpooling, car sharing and hourly rental programs – and local car rental customers are picked up at no extra cost. With a well-established track record for making “virtual cars” convenient and affordable for those who prefer to “buy for the need and rent for the exception,” Enterprise Rent-A-Car launched hourly rentals in 2005 and local car-sharing in 2007 as a natural extension of its business rental program and longtime focus on customized service in communities. With WeCar car-sharing technology, Enterprise offers a totally automated, membership-based and environmentally friendly transportation solution – for an hour, a day, a weekend or longer – thereby providing businesses, universities and government offices an opportunity to enhance their fleet management operations and sustainability initiatives. In addition, Enterprise Rideshare specializes in providing vanpool and carpool commuter services to individuals and companies. For more information about Enterprise, visit http://www.enterprise.com/. This news release and other Enterprise Rent-A-Car announcements are available at the Enterprise Holdings press room.

CODA Automotive & Enterprise Rent-A-Car Help Accelerate the Adoption of All-Electric Cars With 100% Electric CODA Sedans

This will be the second car you can rent along with the Nissan Leaf. What a great way to try out a car before committing to the purchase.

Press Release:

CODA Automotive™, a California-based electric car and battery company, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, today announced a planned program to introduce up to 100 all-electric CODA Sedans™ to car rental locations throughout 2011.

"The CODA's dependable, all-season range are a perfect match for the driving conditions found throughout Enterprise's neighborhood network of car rental locations," said Kevin Czinger, President and CEO, CODA Automotive. "Enterprise has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and is aligned with our mission to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles."

The CODA Sedan™ will be the first mainstream all-electric sedan from an all-electric car company when it becomes available in the coming months. The car is designed to meet the day-to-day needs of more than 80% of Americans(i) with space for five passengers and a full-size trunk. CODA's innovative 33.8 kWh battery system with active thermal management will be the largest, most advanced system in its class, enabling a dependable, all- season 90 to 120 miles of range per charge.(ii) Fast and convenient charging will be achieved with help from a 6.6 kW on-board charger that is twice as fast as the standard charger used by our closest competition. A full charge requires about six hours to complete,(iii) and enough energy for a short, 40-mile commute will take under two hours.

"With the mystery surrounding electric vehicles, we think this vehicle will not only meet the needs of many of our customers, but will also help to 'lift the veil' on EVs for many of them and help them better understand the technology and why they might want to own one," said Lee Broughton, director of sustainability for Enterprise Holdings, which owns and operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car, along with the Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental brands. "Supporting alternative transportation options and partnering with companies at the forefront of the electrification movement like CODA Automotive is a key component of our long-term sustainability strategy."

Enterprise has more than 5,000 offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. So with the potential to rent each electric vehicle hundreds of times a year, Enterprise will be able to give customers an opportunity for an "extended" test drive, allowing them to experience the energy-saving technology right where they live and work.

The addition of the CODA electric vehicle is just one facet of the Enterprise's industry-leading environmental sustainability platform, that includes investment in alternative fuels, a fuel-efficient fleet, and an operational commitment to reduce energy use and energy cost by 20 percent over the next five years.

In addition to the partnership announced today, the two companies previously reached an agreement to provide services for CODA electric vehicle owners. As part of that agreement, Enterprise will provide courtesy transportation vehicles to CODA customers during service and maintenance periods. In addition to providing courtesy transportation support, CODA and Enterprise are discussing other innovative partnership opportunities to help accelerate the adoption of all-electric cars.

About CODA Automotive: Headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., CODA Automotive™ is working to reduce dependence on oil and is leading the way to a cleaner future through advanced battery systems for its 100% electric car, other electric vehicle manufacturers and utility applications such as wind power storage. CODA is working in a smart, interdependent way with more than 30 leading global technology and manufacturing companies across four continents to quickly and efficiently bring electric drive technology to market. Through its exclusive battery system joint venture with Lishen Power Battery, Lio Energy Systems™, CODA is also a large-scale producer of power battery systems for transportation and utility applications. CODA is slated to begin limited deliveries of its all-electric car in the fourth quarter of this year (2010). The CODA Sedan™ is a five-passenger, mid-size car with full rear seating and trunk space that is designed to meet American drivers' daily transportation needs, without using an ounce of gasoline.

For more information, please visit www.codaautomotive.com, follow @CODAautomotive on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CODAautomotive, or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/coda.

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car: Founded in 1957, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand with more than 6,000 neighborhood and airport locations in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Germany. Known for exceptionally low rates and outstanding customer service, Enterprise was named to BusinessWeek's annual list of "Customer Service Champs" in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Enterprise also has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among North American airport rentals in 10 of the past 11 years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. Enterprise of North America also is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world's largest car rental network.

Enterprise Holdings, headquartered in St. Louis, owns and operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car and WeCar car-sharing through its regional subsidiaries. There are more than 5,000 Enterprise offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, and local customers are picked up at no extra cost. Enterprise launched car-sharing in 2007 as a natural extension of its business rental program and longtime focus on customized local service. With WeCar car-sharing technology, Enterprise offers a totally automated, membership-based and environmentally friendly transportation solution to local businesses, universities and government offices looking to enhance their fleet management operations and sustainability initiatives. To further minimize the environmental impact of car rentals, Enterprise not only offers customers the opportunity to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, but also to rent a hybrid vehicle in more than 30 major markets. For more information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.

(i) Source: "Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 28-2009"

(ii) Up to 120 miles based on US06 (aggressive driving/high speed test) and LA4/UDDS (city driving) EPA tests. Like any electric vehicle, CODA's electric miles per charge will vary. Like all vehicles, electric vehicles are less efficient in extreme temperatures. In addition, personal driving style, heavy cargo loads and battery age will also affect vehicle performance.

(iii) The time necessary for a full charge can vary between five to seven hours, but takes an average of six hours.