SEATTLE -- Flexcar, the nation's oldest and largest provider of car-sharing programs, today announced a landmark commitment that makes it the first company in the United States to be completely carbon neutral -- effectively offsetting 100% of the emissions it generates. By developing this ground-breaking partnership with American Forests, the nation's oldest conservation group, Flexcar will ensure that enough trees are planted every year in areas where the company operates to completely negate the effect of greenhouse gasses attributed to automobile exhaust from the company's fleet of shared vehicles.

"Since its founding, Flexcar has been committed to reducing emissions, which is why our entire fleet is made up of environmentally-friendly vehicles like our Super Ultra Low Emission Honda Civic Hybrids," said Lance Ayrault, president and CEO of Flexcar. "This new partnership takes that promise a step further and makes both Flexcar and American Forests stronger as a result."

This year-round program will be supplemented further by Flexcar's outreach to its more than 15,000 members during the month of October, which the company is terming "Flexcar Global ReLeaf(R) Month" in honor of the American Forests' program of the same name. During that time, Flexcar will encourage its members in Washington, Oregon and California to make personal commitments to American Forests. A special program for Washington, D.C. area members will be conducted in 2004.

Many members are already doing their part. Recent Flexcar research shows that roughly 60 percent of members have either sold or decided not to purchase a vehicle because of the program, thus removing thousands of vehicles and all their emissions from circulation.

"We are proud to have Flexcar join us as a sponsor of our restoration tree planting projects," said Deborah Gangloff, executive director of American Forests. "Flexcar's initiative to become carbon-neutral is a giant step forward, and we encourage other companies to follow their lead."

Flexcar's innovative program provides its 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 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.

American Forests
American Forests has a vision of healthy forest ecosystems growing in every community across the United States and worldwide. Its three program areas -- Forest Policy, Urban Forests, and Global ReLeaf -- provide action opportunities that allow people to improve their environment with trees. American Forests works locally with communities and tree planting specialists to ensure that the right tree is planted in the right place. American Forests publishes American Forests magazine and can be found on the Internet at www.americanforests.org.

Flexcar
Headquartered in Seattle, Flexcar now operates car-sharing programs for more than 15,500 members in more than a dozen cities and counties in 5 states and the District of Columbia. With flexible pricing plans, members can reserve and drive any of these cars whenever and wherever they need to, without filling out complicated paperwork, paying for insurance, gas or repairs. Flexcar Business Memberships enable companies to augment or replace their fleet with Flexcar vehicles. Flexcar's modern fleet includes sedans, gas-electric hybrids, electric cars and specialty vehicles including pickups and convertibles. Flexcar has established strategic partnerships with King County (Wash.) Metro Transit, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Parsons Transportation Group, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. and Bristol Bay Native Corporation.

Editor's Notes

Correct spelling and punctuation is "Flexcar"; not FlexCar, Flex Car or Flexicar.

Global ReLeaf is a registered trademark of American Forests

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