Lotus Car Rental
Lotus Car Rental Alternative Fuel Proposal
COMM/215
September 3, 2013
Lotus Car Rental Alternative Fuel Proposal
Combustion engine vehicles have come a long way, especially since conventional vehicles are reaching upwards of 30 miles per gallon. Conventional vehicles have only grown more reliable over the past few decades, and continue to improve with each passing year. Due to these advancements, many would agree that there is no reason to switch over to new alternative fuel vehicles. However, Lotus Car Rental should add 100 alternative fuel vehicles to its fleet, placing 50 vehicles in Boston, MA and 50 vehicles in Los Angeles, CA. in order to maximize profit.
Alternative Vehicles
There are many types of alternative fuel vehicles to choose from such as ethanol flex-fuel, electric, and hybrid vehicles. In addition to regular gasoline, flex-fuel vehicles operate on E85, which is a mix of gas and ethanol. The ethanol levels of E85 range be tween 51% and 83% (Clean Cities, 2013). The miles per gallon are decreased when flex-fuel vehicles utilize E85 rather than regular gasoline, due to ethanol containing less energy than gasoline (Clean Cities, 2013). Regardless of this fact, many individuals power these vehicles with E85 because it is a high-octane fuel (Clean Cities, 2013). The high octane increases the vehicles power and performance, ultimately giving the driver a better driving experience.
Electric vehicles use batteries to store the energy needed to operate its one or multiple motors. These batteries are charged by plugging into an electri cal power source (Clean Cities, 2013). Another method in which the batteries may also be charged is by regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is when the vehicle stores electricity from some of the energy that is lost when braking (Clean Cities, 2013). One of the most appealing features of electric vehicles is the fact that there is no tailpipe emissions associated with them. Electric vehicles last
COMM/215
September 3, 2013
Lotus Car Rental Alternative Fuel Proposal
Combustion engine vehicles have come a long way, especially since conventional vehicles are reaching upwards of 30 miles per gallon. Conventional vehicles have only grown more reliable over the past few decades, and continue to improve with each passing year. Due to these advancements, many would agree that there is no reason to switch over to new alternative fuel vehicles. However, Lotus Car Rental should add 100 alternative fuel vehicles to its fleet, placing 50 vehicles in Boston, MA and 50 vehicles in Los Angeles, CA. in order to maximize profit.
Alternative Vehicles
There are many types of alternative fuel vehicles to choose from such as ethanol flex-fuel, electric, and hybrid vehicles. In addition to regular gasoline, flex-fuel vehicles operate on E85, which is a mix of gas and ethanol. The ethanol levels of E85 range be tween 51% and 83% (Clean Cities, 2013). The miles per gallon are decreased when flex-fuel vehicles utilize E85 rather than regular gasoline, due to ethanol containing less energy than gasoline (Clean Cities, 2013). Regardless of this fact, many individuals power these vehicles with E85 because it is a high-octane fuel (Clean Cities, 2013). The high octane increases the vehicles power and performance, ultimately giving the driver a better driving experience.
Electric vehicles use batteries to store the energy needed to operate its one or multiple motors. These batteries are charged by plugging into an electri cal power source (Clean Cities, 2013). Another method in which the batteries may also be charged is by regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is when the vehicle stores electricity from some of the energy that is lost when braking (Clean Cities, 2013). One of the most appealing features of electric vehicles is the fact that there is no tailpipe emissions associated with them. Electric vehicles last
References: Clean Cities. (2013). Clean Cities 2013 Vehicle Buyer’s Guide. Retrieved from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/publications.html Edmunds.com, Inc (2010) Retrieved from http://www.edmunds.com/tco.html Farmers.com (2013) Car Insurance Discounts Travelers offers 10 percent discount on auto insurance for hybrid drivers in georgia. (2006, Dec 19). Business Wire. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/445119064?accountid=458 United States Department of Energy. (2013). Tax Incentive Information Center. Retrieved from http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/ United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2013). Final Rule (PDF)(May 7, 2010). Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regs-light-duty.htm United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2013). Final Rule (PDF)(October 15, 2012).