ST. LOUIS, MO - Enterprise Rent-A-Car said it has just received one of the nation's first Nissan LEAF electric vehicles (EVs), and the company is already taking steps to educate customers and employees about EV rentals and the infrastructure that will support them.  

Enterprise expects to receive 500 Nissan LEAFs for its fleet, starting in December. The EVs initially will be available to customers across seven markets where the infrastructure exists to support the vehicles: Phoenix; Nashville, Tenn.; San Diego; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Portland, Ore.; and Seattle.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car customers will then be able to specifically request an EV when making a reservation. In addition, Enterprise will be adding some of the EVs to its WeCar car-sharing programs. 

With more than 5,000 offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population, Enterprise will be able to give customers an opportunity for extended EV "test-drives," as well as a chance to learn more about the charging process. And, in the coming weeks, Enterprise will be bringing the demo Nissan LEAF vehicle to some of the markets where EVs will be available for rental. The goal is to educate employees and customers about the new technology. 

With the potential to rent each one of the electric vehicles hundreds of times every year, Enterprise's neighborhood network enables consumers to experience this emerging technology -- right where they live and work. 

"There is a certain amount of mystery around electric vehicles," 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 have a great opportunity to lift the veil on EVs for our customers, and help them understand why they might want to rent or even own an EV as they become available. 

"There is no other way to expose so many consumers to this technology so quickly," Broughton said. "It's all part of our commitment to use our fleet to help new clean technologies prove themselves in the marketplace." 

EVs can be charged using a standard 110-volt home outlet, 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.