Ford and Budget EV Rentals Offer Ranger Electric Pickups for $19.95 a Day

2 September 1999
Ford and Budget EV Rentals Offer Ranger Electric Pickups for $19.95 a Day
    LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1 -- Renting a zero-emission, ultra-quiet
Ford Electric Ranger is now not only easy on the environment, it's also easy
on your wallet.
    Ford Motor Company and Budget EV Rentals today announced a
special rental rate starting at $19.95 daily for Ford Ranger EVs at Budget EV
Rental locations at Los Angeles International Airport and Sacramento Airport.
The price will be in effect for one year.
    "We want to encourage people to try out the Ranger EV.  This low rental
rate makes renting one as affordable as renting a gasoline vehicle," says
Budget EV Rentals President, Jeff Pink, "And it's a totally unique, very quiet
driving experience."
    Ford made the announcement of the special rental rate in conjunction with
the Ranger EV Challenge taking place during the Ford LA Street Race.  Ten Ford
Ranger EVs will show their capabilities during a challenge along the streets
of Los Angeles.
    In addition, Ford will showcase its entire industry-leading lineup of
Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs).  Ford currently sells a full-line of AFVs
that run on natural gas, propane (LPG), ethanol or electricity.
    "The Ford LA Street Race is a showcase for advanced technology and vehicle
performance," said Mike McCabe, Worldwide Marketing Manager Ford Alternative
Fuel Vehicles, "The display and demonstration of Ford AFVs fits right in with
that theme.  These vehicles give you great performance with minimal
environmental impact."
    Ford and Budget EV Rentals have partnered to offer rental electric
vehicles to consumers since December 1998.  The partnership offers Ford a
chance to show its vehicles to the general public and Budget EV Rentals a
chance to contribute to the lowering of greenhouse gases in California.
    The Ranger EV is based on Ford's best-selling compact truck and is the
leading electric powered vehicle in production today.  "Like all Ford trucks,
the Ranger EV is 'Built Ford Tough'," says McCabe, "Our customers asked for an
EV that drives with the safety, reliability and durability of a conventional
vehicle and that's what they get with this truck."
    In 1998, Ford sold about 370 Ranger EVs throughout the United States.
Budget EV Rentals currently offers 10 Ranger EVs for lease throughout
California and will offer 20 more by the end of 1999.
    The Ranger EV challenge will take place during the morning session of the
Ford LA Street Race each day throughout Labor Day weekend.