Where Google leads, Yahoo is close behind. If Yahoo employees were beginning to envy the employees of rival search engine Google, then the Silicon Valley firm has come up with a solution.
While Google recently added Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf models to its employee pool fleet (see story), Yahoo has now added a Toyota Prius Plug-in demonstration vehicle to its fleet- making it available to its staff through the WeCar programme.
The programme, run by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, compliments Yahoo’s existing scheme called Enterprise Rideshare-a vanpool service for its commuters. WeCar provides vehicles for personal use during the work day to more than 50 participants at Yahoo!’s Sunnyvale and Santa Clara campuses in California in the US.
As Toyota prepares to launch a full production version of its Prius Plug-in hybrid model, the car maker is delivering more than 160 demonstration versions across the United States in advance of a full market introduction planned for next year.
"With Enterprise expanding its transportation solutions to offer alternative-fuel vehicles, the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle is a natural fit for Yahoo!’s WeCar program," said Mary Nickerson, national manager, advance technology vehicles, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "We look forward to gathering feedback from Yahoo! employees after driving the Prius PHV to ensure these advanced-technology vehicles exceed customer expectations."
Enterprise will work with Toyota to test the PHV (plug-in hybrid vehicle) across its WeCar programs that will be implemented in the coming weeks.
Enterprise has already introduced electric vehicles (EVs) throughout California, as well as Oregon, Washington, Texas, Tennessee, Hawaii, North Carolina and New York. As part of the nation’s largest EV rental roll-out, the company plans to add EVs in new markets through Enterprise’s neighbourhood locations, local business rental programs and WeCar car-sharing programs.
The Plug-in version of the Prius, can be recharged from mains electricity to allow it to make greater use of emission free electric drive. A fully charged model is capable of running on electricity for approximately 13 miles at speeds of up to 62 mph. Full market launch is planned for next year.
