Since the mid-2000s, Enterprise has led the way in adding hybrid and electronic vehicles to its fleet of cars. Leading the way with the Toyota Prius, Enterprise now has the largest fleet of hybrid rental cars in the United States – including both the second and third generation Prius. In addition to the Prius, the company’s hybrid rental cars now include the Ford Escape Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

In the summer of 2011, as part of its effort to add electronic vehicles to its fleet, Enterprise began to offer the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid to members of its car-sharing program – WeCar. Prius Plug-in Hybrids can travel 13 miles for 62mph on a single charge, and then it operates like a typical Prius Hybrid. The limited roll-out of Prius Plug-ins will allow Enterprise, in cooperation with Toyota, to test the car before larger distribution and educate consumers about plug-in hybrid technology.

In addition to the Toyota Prius Plug-in, Enterprise has added the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan LEAF to its fleets in California, Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. The Enterprise fleet of electronic vehicles is currently the largest in the United States, with cars available both through WeCar and traditional rental car centers.

Enterprise Hybrid Rental Car Locations
Enterprise does not limit its hybrid rental car centers to airports; the company also has locations off-site and in cities where there are no airports. Locations near colleges, especially, make Enterprise rental hybrids a convenient option for visiting parents and qualified students. Consumers can also rent Enterprise hybrids even when they aren’t traveling. Renting a Toyota Prius hybrid from Enterprise for a few days to a few weeks is a great way to test out the car before making a purchase. Although Enterprise has the largest fleet of hybrid rental cars in the United States, check out their website for information on local availability. Enterprise hybrid rental car locations include:

Northeastern Region
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Newark, New Jersey
• Amherst, New York
• Ithaca, New York
• New York, New York
• Rochester, New York

Southeastern Region
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Fort Meyers, Florida
• Orlando, Florida
• Tampa, Florida
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Norfolk, Virginia
• Richmond, Virginia
• Washington, DC

Midwestern Region
• Chicago, Illinois
• Detroit, Michigan
• St Louis, Missouri

Southwestern Region
• Austin, Texas*
• Dallas, Texas
• Houston, Texas

Western Region
• Cerritos, California*
• Encino, California*
• Los Angeles, California*
• Newport Beach, California*
• Ontario, California*
• Orange County, California
• Palms Springs, California*
• Pasadena, California*
• Riverside, California*
• Sacramento, California
• San Diego, California*
• San Francisco, California*
• Santa Barbara, California*
• Santa Cruz, California
• Santa Monica, California*
• Thousand Oaks, California*
• Denver, Colorado
• Aiea, Hawaii
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• Kailua, Hawaii
• Maui, Hawaii
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Eugene, Oregon
• Portland, Oregon*
• Seattle, Washington*

*Enterprise car rental centers that also offer plug-in/electric vehicles.

Hybrid cars, of which the Ford Fusion is a stellar example, are considered the cars of the future. They can effectively conserve fuel and at the same time, produce significantly-lower low levels of toxic fumes. Due to these benefits, hybrid cars are more popular every day. Many people are now considering replacing their conventional cars and purchasing a hybrid to help reduce their fuel consumption costs.

Ford Fusion Advantages are Significant

Hybrid cars have two engines that permit them to effectively conserve fuel. They have a traditional gasoline engine also have an electric motor and batteries. The two engines work together in order to reduce the consumption of fuel. With the technology employed in the Ford Fusion, one can easily reduce the usage of fuel by more than fifty percent. Just imagine, with a Ford Fusion, you will be able to get 40 miles/gallon or more. Thanks to this kind of cost savings, hybrid cars like the Ford Fusion are likely to be the cars of the future.

Fusion owners will probably not even feel the increasing cost of fuel. This is the primary advantage of the hybrid car. There are other advantages that a hybrid Ford Fusion will give you. Not the least of these is impressive tax incentives. This means that by owning a hybrid Ford Fusion, you will be able to save money on taxes that you won’t have to pay.

Other benefits that the government imposes on hybrid car owners include free parking and free entry to into car pool lanes on major freeways such as Interstates. Some states even offer discounted fees on freeway toll gates.

Despite the many advantages that a hybrid car like the Ford Fusion can give you, there are also some disadvantages. The primary disadvantage of hybrid cars is that their retail price is somewhat more expensive. However, the interesting part is that hybrid cars can be cheaper in the long run as compared to conventional automobiles. If you calculate the total fuel utilization of both cars vs. the Ford Fusion, you will see that you can save a significant amount of money if you own the hybrid Ford Fusion.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid has a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor powered by a nickel metal hydride battery. Naturally, this car is somewhat heavier than conventional automobiles of the same class.

A CVT (continuously variable transmission) is utilized in order to link the electric motor and gas engine together.

The 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid also offers numerous safety features, such as a tire pressure monitoring system, electronic stability, traction control, driver’s side knee airbags, side curtain air bags, dual front and side air bags, and security system.

The MPG for the Ford Fusion Hybrid 2012 is stated to be 41 within a city and 36 on the highway.

The plug-in version of the Prius arrives on the scene for the 2012 model year and is a first. While some testers might not have been too keen on the car at first, Toyota has improved it from the first preproduction version. No only can this car reach highway legal speeds (62mph) without engaging the gas engine, it joins three other models as the main focus of the company. These other models are the Prius Liftback. The Prius V, and the Prius C.

The current plug-in qualifies for the $2,500 federal tax credit, which lowers the cost of the basic version to under $30,000. This comes with a fifteen mile electric range, while combined with a gas engine extends miles per tank to over five hundred. The mpg is projected to be listed at 87. The charging port is located now on the right rear side, opposite the gas tank opening. The battery charges in 3 hours at a 110-volt outlet, 1.5 hours at a 220-volt one and with a special charger in minutes.

The Prius Liftback remains the main car sold in this line with the plug-in being most similar to it. The Prius V is a larger version that has more cargo space, while the Prius C is a sporty, smaller version designed to offer better mileage while being more affordable then the other versions. The Prius Plug-in is still a hybrid, as hinted. While the engine is supposed to have a switch to allow you to kill it and only run on electric, one test driver found that this is slightly imperfectly designed, and that an acceleration at more then half power would kick the engine in and that it took a long idle period to get the car back into electronic only mode.

One should note however, that the plug-in version does have some benefits, particularly if you have a under fifteen mile commune and have a place to plug in at work. For many people who live close to where they work this type of car can cut down on the gas they use quite a lot. Those with a longer commute might wish to save their money and get the standard lift-back Prius or wait for the Prius C to come out. In either case, the 2012 Prius maintains storage space regardless of the version you chose. Be aware that the Prius V has a sound generator that the Plug-in version currently lacks. This might be a slight safety issue if people around your car are listening for the engine to start.

The Prius V is longer, heavier and bigger than the Prius. It is 3.3 inches taller and 6.1 inches longer. While it might not seem like a lot, it really does add up. With a storage size of 67.3 cubic feet of space, with the back seat folded down, it has more than 50% more storage space than it’s little brother.

The Toyota Prius hybrid is known for its fuel economy, that’s the car’s reason for living. The Prius gets an average gas mileage of 50 mpg. The Prius V, because it is heavier, weighing 200 lbs more than the Prius, and bigger has a lower mileage rating. Its rating is 44 mpg in the city and 40 on the highway, for an average of 42 mpg. That’s still much better than other similar cars.

It’s not a fast car. It takes a whopping 10 seconds to go from 0-60, but that helps keep the gas mileage down. It handles just like the regular Prius. It’s build on the same drive train. The hybrid engine has 134 hp. When it’s used in its electric car mode is slower. Electric mode is just one of the four available on this car. The driver can get about a mile of silent driving while in electric mode. It’s silent, but it is slow. One improvement in the V is that it has a “pitch and bounce control” feature. This is designed to give the driver the smoothest ride by negating the effects of bumpy roads.

The Prius V comes with a plethora of extra features. It has the Prius push button start. But it also has all the extra storage features that people look for in a minivan/crossover/station wagon. It has 5 cup holders which means everyone will have their own. There are also 2 gloveboxes to hold everything needed on a trip. For people who are old school and listen to CDs in their car the console will hold 23 cases.

The newest feature is the Entune multimedia system. It syncs up with a smartphone to allow access to popular apps including Pandora and other streaming media app. However, if the car is driven through a patch with no phone service this feature will be disabled until it’s got reception again.

The Prius V is the car for the person who wants a hybrid and wants to have plenty of storage space. It’s due to become available in the US in the fall of 2011.

Many analysts are saying that Toyota has made this move to compete with Honda and Ford. In addition to these companies releasing hybrid cars of their own, companies like Nissan and Chevrolet are coming out with pure electric cars which are already generating a lot of hype in both consumers and in the car industry.

In addition, Toyota sees the hybrid cars as a great market to expand on. The Toyota Prius makes up 75% of all the hybrid cars sold in the US. The US has a strong market for hybrid cars so they will focus the brand in the country until there is a huge demand elsewhere. Rather than sell the Prius line under separate dealerships such as the Lexus, these cars will be sold in Toyota dealerships.

Previously, Toyota’s hybrid cars used an electric generator in addition to gasoline in order to extend the miles per gallon. It has been known as one of the most economically friendly cars both environmentally and financially. This time around, the company is releasing a plug-in version that can connect to any regular electric wall socket. These cars will be able to drive a short distance without using any gasoline, making it perfect for those quick trips to the grocery.

Toyota is relying on hybrid cars because electric cars rely on very expensive batteries. Because of that reason, Toyota sees electric cars fulfilling a niche demand rather than being a new generation of cars that will completely replace their old counterparts. Toyota is predicting that hybrid vehicles will steadily get more popular and become mainstream.

The new Prius cars under the new brand will be bigger than the former version. It is predicted that the car will be a 5-door body style. It will run on a 2.5 liter, four cylinder motor and the pricing is estimated to begin at $28,000. They are also redesigning the Yaris into a 4-door sedan, hoping it will be a smaller version of the Prius, due in 2011.

While other major car manufacturers are focusing on a new electric plugin car market, Toyota seems to be expanding on their success with the Prius. The new models are planning to launch sometime in 2011 and towards 2012 to compete with the major releases of Nissan and Chevrolet. It will be quite interesting how the new Prius line will look and be accepted.

As far as the space, the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid is just as spacious as its rivals. Folding back seats are installed to give the driver more cargo room, but the steps could have been simplified. Smart keys let you control speeds and other features to protect your teens when they start driving on their own. A nice touch, but the kids are already pissed. SYNC is a nifty interface that lets you use voice commands, hands-free calling, and others while you focus on the road.

Some of the features don’t get as much positive feedback. Brake performance is poor, so make sure to brake hard or sooner than you normally would. Acceleration is loud and annoying when speeding up quickly, as well as anger environmentalists that hate noise just much as gas guzzlers. The price is the main problem with the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid. At $31,000, many buyers will turn to another vehicle with similar features for less. The 30 mpg helps, but in a recession, a hefty discount will be needed (regardless of credit).

If all goes well, other hybrids and gas-free cars will come down in price and more will be on the streets. The 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid is a step in the right direction. By providing cargo space and seats for big families and anyone needing to bring extra stuff, the people are now getting a choice in size rather than just design and fuel economy. It is amazing that they didn’t have to sacrifice a whole lot in power and features. Some have to ditch the HD radio for an iPhone jack or give you sub-standard speakers.

It’s a tough SUV to sell, but the 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid is great for anyone trying to save on gas more than at the dealership. If you can afford it at the current price, it’s worth a look. This model offers way more features than its previous generation and better safety ratings to boot. The price and brakes just don’t cut it and may have some folks trading it in a week later. One thing that everyone understands is that the technology helping us to save gas does pay off, but only if you’re able to put down the money for it.

The 2010 Toyota Prius is a re-designed hybrid version of the 2009 Prius. It is a third generation Prius that has remarkable improvements when compared to its predecessors. The car leaves an impression of ultra-efficiency and yet carries a touch of class. It has a sleek exterior coupled with an excellent interior finish. The heated leather seats provide added comfort and the solar sunroof ensures there is always a cool breeze on the inside of the car no matter what time of the day. The hatchback rear gives a streamlined and sporty appearance.

Major features

The 2010 Toyota Prius comes in a number of mildly distinct but largely similar models ranging from the Prius I to the Prius V. Among the 5 models, the Prius I will be the last to be released. A huge proportion of the equipment is standard in all models and these include a powerful six or eight-speaker sound system with a CD changer, 15 or 17-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition, automatic headlight system and cruise control. Other features include the rear view camera and the adjustable rear seats that can be moved to create more trunk space whenever required.

The Prius has over the years developed a reputation for its efficiency. Therefore, it comes as no real surprise to know that the most striking improvement is on its fuel efficiency. On average, the car can travel between 51 to 58 miles, per gallon of gasoline. Of course, the level of fuel efficiency is dependent on a number of factors including terrain and traffic speed (i.e. city versus highway driving). Overall, the 2010 Toyota Prius is still a major improvement to its predecessor that had a lower but still efficient average of 48 miles per gallon. The car has a very powerful engine that allows more effortless cruising. The stability and traction controls make it easier to drive at high speeds with less chances of losing control of the vehicle.

The car’s electric steering system makes it easier to navigate through different terrains. Furthermore, it has a state of the art navigation system that is voice-activated. The system is synchronized with real-time road traffic, making navigation a breeze. The main safety features of this car include front airbags, driver knee airbag and side curtain airbags. As one would expect, automatic stability, traction control and anti-lock disc brakes come as standard and collectively help to bring the vehicle to a stop in just 118 feet when moving at 60 miles per hour.

Areas of concern

The 2010 Toyota Prius has a few issues which some may consider significant while others may view as non-consequential. For instance, the rear seating arrangement has small legroom space, which can be very uncomfortable to passengers. This is contrary to the move by most manufacturers who are paying increasing focus on legroom on both front and rear seating. The headroom of the car is also marginally lower as compared to its predecessors.

The 2010 Prius also comes with a well-intentioned safety system that produces a beeping sound whenever any person in the car has not worn their seat belt. This is important but may be irritating in the event that the driver is just parking the car inside the garage. It might have been great if the beeping could be turned on or off at the driver’s discretion depending on circumstance.

The new vehicles are part of a pilot program with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. to demonstrate plug-in hybrid technology, evaluate the performance of the vehicles and help to educate and prepare the public for the electrification of the automobile. The Toyota Prius PHVs, which will become commercially available in 2012, are eight of approximately 160 being distributed by Toyota nationwide.

Zipcar currently offers three of the vehicles in Cambridge/Boston; one located at the Albany Street Garage on the campus of MIT, one at 33 Arch Street in downtown Boston and one at the Prudential Center. San Francisco members have access to three of the Prius PHV vehicles, which join a converted plug-in Prius already in the fleet. One of the vehicles is housed in front of City Hall, one is located in North Point/Fisherman’s Wharf and the third is located in Union Square. Two vehicles are also available in Portland, one at the Portland State University Parking Garage and one at Shaver Green. The eight Prius PHVs will be available to Zipcar members in Boston/Cambridge, San Francisco and Portland for reservation throughout 2011.

“As the operator of the largest connected vehicle network in the world, Zipcar is committed to taking a thoughtful and deliberate approach to EVs. Given Toyota’s long standing commitment to hybrid and plug-in vehicle technologies, they are an ideal partner for this project. We are dedicated to embracing cutting-edge vehicle technology in a strategic way, and in a way that meets the standards of large scale, multi-city, multi-country car sharing,” said Scott Griffith, Chairman and CEO of Zipcar. “Zipcar is an ideal test bed for early consumer acceptance of EVs. This project will allow companies to receive direct feedback from thousands of consumers in three cities and help evaluate how EVs fit into a large-scale car sharing model.”

The Prius PHV is powered by lithium-ion batteries and can be charged from a standard 110-volt outlet. The vehicle, which takes up to three hours to charge, can travel on electric-only power at speeds of up to 62 mph for approximately 13 miles, after which it shifts to operate as a conventional Prius hybrid, averaging an estimated 50 miles per gallon. This makes the PHV model ideal for car sharing, as members are assured that the car can go the distance, no matter the charge when they pick it up. Because many trips taken by Zipcar members are fewer than 13 miles, many PHV trips will be emission-free. With the Prius PHV, Zipcar members can rely on the electric charge for shorter trips, but rest assured they have back-up for longer road trips or for use between charges.

“The PHV demonstration program is designed to gather real-world driving data and customer feedback on plug-in hybrid technology, and we’re excited to be working with Zipcar to further test how this technology could have even greater environmental impact by fitting into the car sharing model,” said Mary Nickerson, national manager, advanced technology vehicles, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “This program will help us to educate and inform the public on plug-in hybrid technology, evaluate the performance of the vehicle under different driving conditions and better understand the benefits to future customers.”

Zipcar has been a pioneer in using advanced vehicle technologies, being the first car sharing company in the United States to introduce electric vehicles into its fleet with the launch of Toyota RAV4 EVs in Boston in 2002, and the first to offer hybrid vehicles with the launch of hybrid vehicles in Seattle in 2003. Zipcar currently offers converted plug-in hybrids in San Francisco and pure EV models in the London market. Today, Zipcar offers over 1,000 hybrid vehicles available internationally, representing 15-20% of the company’s entire fleet.

Toyota will unveil a new version of its famous Prius Hybrid at the Detroit Auto Show in January, the automaker announced Thursday. This car would not be a replacement for the Prius hatchback but would sell alongside the now-familiar egg-shaped car.

The “Next member of the Prius family” will be an “all-new model with more comfort, style and versatility,” the automaker announced on its official Twitter feed.

The Detroit Auto Show is scheduled for January, 2011. The unveiling of the new Prius model will come one year after Toyota announced, at last year’s show, that it would expand the Prius brand into a whole line of vehicles rather than just the one car.

All Prius vehicles will be gas/electric hybrids and each will be unique to the Prius brand rather than simply being hybrid versions of other Toyota products, Toyota executives have said.

The Toyota Prius is the best-selling hybrid car in America. On its own, it accounts for more than half of all hybrids sold in America. It is Toyota’s third best-selling car model after the Camry mid-sized sedan and the Corolla compact car.

Still, all hybrid vehicles combined account for only about two percent of the car’s sold in America.

In 2007 Toyota showed a concept version of the Prius called the Hybrid-X. That vehicle had a taller back end showing what the Prius might look like with a more wagon-like body. It is still unclear what sort of body style the new Prius will have.

The CR-Z has a 1.5-liter V-Tec motor, as well as an integrated IMA motor assist, which provides not just an impressive fuel economy but also a higher performance level than most hybrids. The IMA powered by a battery pack that is low in the body structure providing a better center of gravity. The electric motor gives this vehicle and abundance of lower torque performance, so it accelerates quickly of the line.

There are also two different choices when it comes to transmission. One is the six-speed manual, standard in this model but also the first in any production hybrid. Six speeds help optimize the motor’s capabilities. If you choose the CVT automatic transmission, you will still be about the get engagement and excitement through the use of paddle shifters that have been inspired by race cars.

The Honda CR-Z also has superior handling than most other hybrids. This has a lot to do with its wide tires, lower overall height, and center of gravity. It also has a much-improved front suspension, with a torsion-bean suspension in the rear. This gives it a better quality of ride, more stability on the road, and greater agility when it comes to turning, especially on winding mountain roads.

The exterior has a sleek and aerodynamic design, large 16″ wheels, and a wide opening rear hatch. It is a two-seat coupe, which only enhances its sporty look. It is as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside as well. The driver-centric controls, mostly on the steering wheel give the driver greater control, while keeping their eyes on the road. It is available with a satellite navigation system that has voice recognition, as well as a hands-free Bluetooth system for calling ahead without taking your hands off the wheel. It also includes a USB interface, allowing you to bring along your MP3 player, so you can listen to your own music on the 160-watt sound system. The EX model offers a more powerful 360 watt amplifier and speaker system.

The CR-X with all the accessories, including the three-mode drive, Eco assist, vehicle stability assist, and all the standard safety features, has a starting price tag of just over $19,000. The CR-Z EX, has the 360 watt sound system, the Blue Tooth features, ant other features. This model has HID, or High-Intensity Discharge headlights, fog lamps, leather wrapped shifter and steering wheel, as well as the textured aluminum gas and brake pedals. This model starts at just under $21,000.