Enterprise may give electric vehicle adoption a boost

Enterprise Rent-A-Car plans to offer electric vehicles in its fleet---first with the Nissan Leaf---and could do more than the automakers when it comes to mass adoption.

Granted, Enterprise is only taking delivery of 500 Nissan Leafs starting in January, but the rental car outfit will allow consumers to try before they buy.

While a lot of folks are bullish on the prospects for electric vehicles, it's unclear whether there will be a big rush to them. There are infrastructure, fueling stations and other wild-cards to ponder. Meanwhile, it's tough to shell out $40,000---the expected price of the Chevy Volt---just to be an early adopter.

Lee Broughton, director of sustainability at Enterprise Holdings, parent of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo and National Car Rental, said in a statement:

“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.”

That market test will do more for electric vehicles than marketing and advertising. The key to electric vehicle adoption will be try before you buy.

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com