In 1997, France equips its fleet with Renault Scenic vehicles running on LPG. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) produces fewer harmful emissions than regular gasoline or diesel engines. The carbon content of LPG fuel is lower and it burns a lot cleaner than petrol.

In May, the Group receives the award for Most Environmentally Conscious Car Rental Company at the Greening of the Tourism Business awards in Geneva.

In September, we launch the green rate in France to support the environmental initiatives of the French government. This rate offers a 20% discount for the rental of green vehicles during air pollution peak days.

A few months later, we start working towards ISO 14001certification, a core set of international standards for environmental management systems. (ISO certification has now been awarded to France, Spain, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Portugal and the Europcar Groupe.)

Europcar launches an electric-vehicles program in Paris in cooperation with Peugeot. This is an educational initiative designed to give the public a chance to test drive Peugeot 106 electric vehicles and gain knowledge about future energies.

With environmental developments becoming a major aspect of economic growth, Europcar opens its first ’green station’ in Paris. This environmentally-friendly station, located in Paris Montparnasse, offers customers hybrid, GPL and electric car rental.

In 2000, on ‘In the city without my car’ day, we affirm our position as a pioneer of environmentally-friendly rental vehicles by adding the Toyota Prius to our fleet.

In 2001, Europcar agree to supply EDF and eLease with 150 electrical vehicles available in 30 stations in France.

In 2004, we increase the number of electric vehicles in France by proposing 150 new vehicles for rental (Renault Kangoo and Citroen Saxo electrics).

In 2005, we sign up to the United Nations Global Compact initiated by Kofi Annan during the World Economic Forum in Davos. We’re now committed to ten fundamental values relating to human rights, labour standards, the environment and the fight against corruption.

In 2006, to increase customer awareness of alternative fuels, we add 50 Fiat LPG vehicles: 10x Fiat Punto, 20x Fiat Multipla and 20x Fiat Doblo Cargo. A natural gas vehicle is an alternative fuel vehicle that uses compressed natural gas or, less commonly, liquefied natural gas as a clean alternative to other automobile fuels.

The same year, we receive the award for Greenest Vehicle Fleet at the Oxygen Awards.

Europcar makes 280 of Ford’s flexifuel vehicles (FFV) available for hire: 180x Focus and 100x C-Max. FFV cars are designed to run on a blend of gasoline and ethanol. As ethanol is a renewable, naturally occurring fuel, it’s much kinder to the environment as it can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 70%.

It was also in this year that we decided to formalise our commitment with the Environmental Charter.

Plus, our backing of new green technology wins us another Greenest Vehicle Fleet award at Oxygen along with the Security and Sustainable Development and Management award.

Europcar’s Charter for the environment is certified by Bureau Veritas this year, the world's leading certification body. It is the first such certification in the car rental industry in the areas of quality, safety, health, the environment and social responsibility. With this Charter, Europcar confirmed its intention to protect the environment through four major commitments: green fleet, initiative to raise awareness, Fleet maintenance and internal processes.

Also this year, Paris welcomes E-Solex, a new generation powered bicycle redesigned by Pininfarina. This stylish alternative to a motor scooter is the perfect deal for the city-dweller looking for an environmental and economic transport solution for one.

This year we begin developing innovative new partnerships with car manufacturers. In February, we signed an agreement with Nissan for electric vehicles and a zero-emissions mobility programme. In September, an agreement was reached with Renault to make their electric cars available as early as 2011.

Another innovative initiative was the introduction of vehicle CO2 emissions data on invoices.

In March 2010, Europcar pursues its Renault partnership with a pre-order of 500 Renault electric cars, to be made available in Europe’s largest cities from 2011.

Europcar and PSA signed a partnership agreement to launch Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero electric vehicles on the car rental market.

On europcar.com, eco-citizen vehicles are highlighted, including alternative engine, hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as models using biofuels, bio-ethanol and natural gas.

This year we’ve partnered with car2go, a subsidiary of Daimler AG, to launch their innovative car sharing service in Hamburg.

Philippe Guillemot, chief executive officer of Europcar Groupe, said: “Europcar has been anticipating changes in travelers’ needs and offering mobility solutions for the past 60 years. With car2go, we are now expanding our offering to provide urban residents with a new lifestyle service and mobility by the minute.”

Our latest proposal is the introduction of the Peugeot iOn to the Portugal rental market.

Europcar reaffirms its commitment toward environment.

At Europcar, we believe that green vehicles must be available whatever your needs are. To that extent, we keep increasing the part of electric, hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles in our fleet.

Among them, the new Opel Ampera or the new Nissan Leaf are now available through Europe! Need a truck? Europcar also offers Goupil electric trucks! And we don’t forget those of you who want to live exclusive driving experience. The Tesla Roadster is available at our premium stations in France. Drive this sport coupé and feel unique sensations, with no carbon emission.