PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Avis Budget Group, Inc. , a leading provider of vehicle rental services, today announced that it has launched an initiative to create a formal environmental management system (EMS) for certain major U.S. locations. The system is being designed to measure and manage environmental aspects of the Company's operations, in accordance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 guidelines. ISO 14001 is a set of international standards used by businesses to establish, implement, maintain and improve environmental management systems.

"We take seriously our responsibilities as a corporate citizen, to be always aware of how our actions can benefit the community and to be sensitive to the needs of the environment," said Ronald L. Nelson, chairman and chief executive officer, Avis Budget Group. "We have a strong track record in environmental compliance, and from this foundation we intend to be a leader not only in reducing our own impact, but in helping our corporate customers do the same."

Avis Budget Group is working with Geomatrix Consultants, Inc., a leading international environmental engineering and consulting firm, to help measure the environmental aspects of Avis and Budget vehicle rental operations, and to establish the Company's EMS plan to manage these aspects on an ongoing basis. The Company's EMS will cover air, water and land quality issues, landfill contributions, resource depletion and conservation, solid/liquid waste, odor/noise emissions and other environmental aspects as set forth in ISO 14001 guidelines.

Meeting Customer Demand for Green Vehicles

Earlier this year, Avis Budget Group responded to customer demand for vehicles with high fuel efficiency and low emissions by adding 2,500 gas / electric hybrid vehicles in three different car classes to the Avis Budget fleet. Avis Budget Group currently offers hybrids in compact (Toyota Prius) and full-size (Nissan Altima) classes, and will add small SUV (Ford Escape) hybrids by the end of the year.

These hybrids have been added to a fleet of more than 360,000 Avis Budget Group 2008 model year vehicles; of these, 150,000 have a fuel efficiency rating of 30 miles per gallon or better (highway) while one-fourth of the Avis Budget fleet (approximately 90,000 vehicles) is rated at 32 miles per gallon or better (highway).

"Being able to offer vehicles with both high fuel efficiency and low vehicle emissions is as important to responding to our customers' needs as offering larger vehicles that can accommodate groups of passengers, cargo or any type of vehicle rental requirement," said Nelson. "As customer demand grows for hybrids, we will add more to our fleet, in more locations, and in more car classes."

Avis Budget Group also offers "flex fuel" cars for rent for those seeking to minimize environmental impact through use of E-85 ethanol fuel, which is sold at gas stations primarily in the Midwestern U.S. Examples of vehicles in the Avis Budget Group fleet that are designed to be able to run on E-85 (in addition to regular unleaded gasoline) include the Chevy Suburban, the Chevy Impala, and the Chevy Monte Carlo.

In addition to offering a "green fleet," Avis Budget demonstrates sound environmental practices at its field operations. All car washes installed at Avis and Budget facilities recycle and reuse at least 80 percent of their wastewater. Used motor oil, oil filters, parts and brake cleaner fluids are collected by Avis Budget Group vendors and recycled at licensed facilities.

All diesel engine shuttle buses used by Avis Budget Group at airports utilize clean diesel technology. "Clean diesel" refers to diesel fuel with reduced sulfur content which, combined with advanced engines and effective exhaust-control technology, produces fewer emissions than standard diesel fuel and engines. The newest diesel technology, called "ultra-clean diesel," is now being used by Avis Budget Group on shuttle buses in Los Angeles and San Diego. Ultra-clean diesel vehicles utilize a new fuel that represents more than a 95 percent reduction in sulfur content from current levels.

"Doing 'the right thing' has been part of the Avis and Budget heritage for decades," said Nelson. "Our approach to environmental responsibility will start with ensuring that we are doing what we can and should with our own facilities and operations, while at the same time providing our customers with vehicles and service support that enables them to know that when their travel needs require a rental vehicle, they can feel good about minimizing their impact on the environment."

About Geomatrix

Geomatrix is a diversified technical consulting and engineering firm with offices throughout North America, and affiliates throughout the world. Formed in 1984, Geomatrix has a professional staff of more than 450 engineers, scientists, and technical experts. Industries represented among our clients include oil and gas, petrochemicals, food, agriculture, financial services, real estate development, and the legal community. We also perform services for utilities and water districts, and for the U.S. Federal, state, and local governments.

About Avis Budget Group, Inc.

Avis Budget Group is a leading provider of vehicle rental services, with operations in more than 70 countries. Through its Avis and Budget brands, the company is the leading general-use vehicle rental company in each of North America, Australia, New Zealand and certain other regions based on published airport statistics. Avis Budget Group is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. and has more than 30,000 employees. For more information about Avis Budget Group, visit http://www.avisbudgetgroup.com/.

CONTACT: John Barrows, +1-973-496-7865, john.barrows@avisbudget.com, or
Alice Pereira, +1-973-496-6113, alice.pereira@avisbudget.com, both of Avis
Budget Group, Inc.

Web site: http://www.avisbudgetgroup.com/