Enterprise Rent-A-Car to offer Nissan LEAF rentals in January 2011

July 27, 2010 Omar Rana 2011, Compact Cars, electric-cars, electric-vehicles, Nissan LEAF, Nissan LEAF EV, plug-in hybrids

Nissan has already teamed up with Hertz Corporation, the world’s largest car rental brand, to bring its Nissan LEAF electric-vehicle to car rental in the U.S. and Europe by early 2011.

Joining Hertz, Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced today that it will take delivery of 500 units of the Nissan LEAF in January 2011 as it prepares to offer electric-vehicles at select offices throughout its neighborhood network of more than 5,000 U.S. locations. Deliveries of the LEAF to Enterprise will continue throughout the year.

Click here for more news on the Nissan Leaf.

“As a company that owns and operates the world”s largest fleet of passenger vehicles, we have a vested interest and a history of working with manufacturers to integrate alternative-powered vehicles into our fleet,” said Lee Broughton, director of sustainability for Enterprise Holdings, which owns and operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car as well as the Alamo Rent A Car and National Car Rental brands. “With airport and neighborhood locations within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, our Enterprise Rent-A-Car offices are uniquely positioned to test the market viability of new alternative fuel technologies like the electric vehicle with daily commuters nationwide.”

Enterprise said that the company will also offer customers electric vehicles from other manufacturers as they become available.

Refresher: Power for the Nissan Leaf comes from a 107-hp electric-motor that runs on power supplied by lithium-ion cells. On a full-charge, the Nissan Leaf allows for a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 87 mph. A full charge takes up to 8 hours on a standard 200V outlet. Buyers can opt for the DC 50kW quick-charger, which recharges the battery up to 80 percent in under 30 minutes. Prices for the 2011 Nissan LEAF will start at $32,780 but with a federal tax-credit prices will come in as low as $25,280, or for a lease payment of $349 a month.