?A cheap, environmentally responsible ride is seldom far away for Oklahoma State University students, faculty and employees.

Hertz on Demand announced this week it has added OSU to its university program, which includes almost 60 universities nationwide.

OSU is the first location to receive CNG vehicles as part of Hertz on Demand’s general consumer rental fleet. CNG yields nearly no emissions and costs less than gasoline or diesel, according to Hertz.

“Personal use of natural gas vehicles is rapidly growing and as the leading provider of mobility solutions, Hertz is in a unique position to introduce this technology to the next generation of drivers,” Hertz Corp. CEO Mark P. Frissora said. “From energy-efficient vehicles to those that use alternative fuel sources, we are committed to providing a full spectrum of vehicle options across our fleet and with CNG vehicles that are entirely clean and abundant, we are able to do that.”

Hertz on Demand put two CNG-fueled Honda Civics at OSU in June when it expanded its university program, which already includes the University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma.

Hertz spokeswoman Lemore Hecht said Oklahoma was the logical choice to introduce CNG vehicles into the company’s on-demand program.

“Oklahoma is the heart of CNG,” Hecht said. “It was very much a natural extension of the service that we provide.”

Anyone who signs up for free program membership can use the cars when they are available for $8 an hour. Fuel, insurance and maintenance are included.

There are reserved parking spots in campus for the rental CNG Civics. One is at the university’s transit station, at the intersection of Hall of Fame and Monroe, while the other is at the Family Resource Center, near housing for many of OSU’s international students.

Steve Spradling, OSU’s director of transit and parking services, said the program seems to be working well so far.

He said usage of the CNG cars is getting close to the 30 percent expected by Hertz.

“It seems like they’re catching on,” Spradling said.

Cameron Pearce, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, said he appreciates the Hertz program since he cannot afford a car of his own.

Pearce rented a car to go to Oklahoma City for the weekend with some friends.

“It’s good to be able to have that option once in a while,” he said.

Pearce said he intends to use the service again because he doesn’t have to pay for fuel, insurance or other costs with a rental.

“This is a pretty good deal,” he said.

Mukul Gaikwad, an industrial engineering student at OSU, said the program is simple to use.

He said it is easy to reserve one of the Hertz cars online or on the phone.

Gaikwad has rented a car several times, usually to drop a friend off at the airport in Oklahoma City or Tulsa.

Hertz spokeswoman Hecht said the on-demand program is free to join. Members receive a smart chip-enabled card that will grant them access to their rental car.

“It’s very user-friendly,” she said.?

Article source: http://www.cngnow.com/News/Post.aspx?ID=490