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Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels Taps Dr. Richard Sayre, Leading Biofuels Researcher, as Director

Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels Taps Dr. Richard Sayre, Leading Biofuels Researcher, as Director

Published 08-27-08

Submitted by Enterprise Rent-A-Car

ST.LOUIS, MO. - August 27, 2008 "“ Dr. Richard Sayre, one of the nation's leading biofuels researchers, has been named director of the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis.

Enterprise created the Institute in 2007 with a $25 million gift from the company's founding family, the Taylors of St. Louis, to support development of renewable energy sources. The Taylors "“ who own Enterprise, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car "“ operate the world's largest automotive fleet, with more than 1.1 million vehicles.

"Just as we are committed to using our fleet to grow the market for commercially viable new fuels and engine technologies, we believe it is important to play a role in the search for sustainable, renewable fuels that can curb greenhouse gas emissions and reduce dependency on finite fossil fuels," said Andy Taylor, chairman and chief executive officer of Enterprise. "Dr. Sayre and his team bring tremendous leadership to this effort."

Dr. Roger N. Beachy, president of the Danforth Center, said Sayre's deep experience in plant science will advance the mission of the Danforth Center and the Institute for Renewable Fuels. "Attracting a researcher of Dr. Sayre's caliber speaks volumes about the work we have done over the last decade "“ and the pioneering work we will do in the future," Beachy said.

Much of the work to be done by Dr. Sayre and his team of 10 researchers will focus on using algae to produce "third-generation" biofuels that someday could be used on a large scale to power cars, trucks, and aircraft. This complements the larger body of biofuels research underway at the Danforth Center.

"Extracting oil from algae to produce a more sustainable biofuel is one of the most promising and exciting areas of biofuels research today," said Sayre, formerly a professor in the Department of Plant Cellular and Molecular Biology at The Ohio State University. "Algae have significant potential as a clean, renewable, and economical fuel source. And, because algae are not used as food, they are a biofuel source that does not compete with the food supply."

"Biofuels research continues to advance at a rapid pace," Sayre said. "The first generation in biofuels research was using the corn plant to make ethanol. The second generation involves using the non-food parts of the corn plant to create cellulosic ethanol. Algal oil "“ which yields much higher energy density while requiring less land and water than other biodiesel "“ represents the third generation."

"For Enterprise, our company's success depends on the availability of vehicles and fuel, and both must be acceptable to society. That's why we are taking steps now to invest in the future, as part of our commitment to sustain our business by addressing the parts of the world we touch with our business," Taylor said.

Supporting renewable fuels research is just one part of Enterprise’s industry-leading commitment to address our business's impact on the environment. Other steps include:

  • Offering the world's largest fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles "“ More than 440,000 cars in the combined Enterprise, National and Alamo worldwide fleet of approximately 1.1 million vehicles average a highway fuel efficiency rating of at least 28 mpg, and more than 237,000 average 32 mpg or better.
  • Embracing new, clean technologies "“ Enterprise, National and Alamo also operate the world's largest fleet of FlexFuel vehicles "“ more than 73,000 cars and trucks that have the ability to use E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. In addition, they own about 4,000 gas/electric hybrid vehicles.
  • Offsetting emissions "“ In January 2008, Enterprise, National and Alamo launched a carbon offset program that enables customers to offset the carbon emissions associated with the average vehicle rental "“ with a dollar-for-dollar company match of up to
    $1 million to fund additional projects. Enterprise Fleet Management offers a similar carbon offset program for its business fleet customers.
  • Conservation "“ The company’s charitable foundation is also funding the planting of 50 million trees over 50 years at a total cost of $50 million, as part of the 50 Million Tree Pledge, a unique public/private/nonprofit partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. The trees are being planted on public lands in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
More about Enterprise's environmental stewardship efforts can be found online at www.keystogreen.com.

About Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Founded in 1957 and headquartered in St. Louis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand with the largest fleet of passenger vehicles in the world today, more than 700,000 cars and trucks. Enterprise also operates a network of nearly 7,000 neighborhood and more than 240 airport rental locations in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Germany.

As North America's largest car rental company, Enterprise is known for its exceptionally low rates, neighborhood convenience and its outstanding service, including picking up local customers at no extra cost. Ranked No. 18 on the Forbes Top 500 Private Companies in America, Enterprise has branch offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. In addition, Enterprise has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among airport rentals in eight out of the past nine years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. For more information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.

About The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a global vision to improve the human condition. Research at the Danforth Center will enhance the nutritional content of plants to improve human health, increase agricultural production to create a sustainable food supply, and build scientific capacity to generate economic growth in the St. Louis region and throughout Missouri. For more information please visit www.danforthcenter.org.

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Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates more than 878,000 rental and fleet management vehicles worldwide and has annual revenues of $9 billion. Last year, Enterprise opened more than 400 new locations, increasing its total locations to more than 7,000. Enterprise is currently number 21 on the Forbes "500 Largest Private Companies in America" list. The company has been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as ranking highest in customer satisfaction among airport rental car companies in seven of the last eight years. For more information about Enterprise visit www.enterprise.com.

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