Flexcar Converts San Diego Fleet to Hybrids

Environmentally Friendly Cars Dramatically Reduce Emissions While Meeting Consumer Demand

SAN DIEGO July 11, 2003; Flexcar, the nation's largest and oldest provider of car-sharing programs, today announced that it has upgraded its San Diego fleet with environmentally friendly Honda Civic Hybrids. The new vehicles are powered by a combination of gas and electricity, dramatically reducing emissions and increasing gas mileage.

Flexcar's innovative program provides its more than 14,000 nationwide members with on-demand access to a fleet of low-emission vehicles, including gas-electric hybrids, pickup trucks and minivans located throughout five major cities, including Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego and the Washington, D.C., metro area. Members reserve the vehicles for hourly use with Flexcar covering the cost of the car, gas, parking, insurance, and maintenance. Paying by the hour, members can enjoy the freedom of car ownership without the hassles and costs.

Flexcar's program has already been shown to reduce vehicle miles traveled, increase ridership of public transit, and resulted in members either selling an existing car or avoiding buying one. Combined with the Honda Civic Hybrids, the impact on the environment will be even more significant. According to the American Lung Association, a hybrid car like these new Honda Civics burns one third less fuel than a comparable non-hybrid car. The Flexcar hybrids also emit significantly less pollution than conventional low-emission vehicles -- 50% less carbon monoxide and 50% less nitrous oxide, which creates smog.

"Though all of our vehicles meet low-emission standards, hybrid vehicles have been requested more and more by our members," said Lance Ayrault, Flexcar's president and CEO. "Being able to convert to 100 percent hybrids is a great step forward for our operations in San Diego."

Flexcar currently has three vehicles in San Diego, with a fourth being added in the coming weeks. Cars are located downtown at the following addresses: across the street from the Santa Fe Depot (Broadway & Kettner), the NBC building at 225 Broadway and the Ace Lot at 3rd Ave. between A Street & Ash Street.

Flexcar launched its Seattle operations in 2000, and has since won numerous awards and commendations for reducing congestion, air pollution and energy use, and increasing use of public transit while contributing to sustainable communities. Flexcar introduced its first vehicles into the San Diego market in October 2002.

More information on Flexcar's San Diego operations is available at www.flexcar.com