PARSIPPANY, N.J., Oct. 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avis Budget Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CAR ) today announced that it has begun utilizing a new fuel measurement/billing system as part of a pilot project. The initiative, part of the Company's commitment to be Customer Led, Service Driven, is being tested in select vehicles and locations across the northeastern United States, Hawaii and Washington. The new technology measures a vehicle's fuel level at the time and point of exit and return in one-tenth of a gallon increments. In comparison, the Company's historical practice has involved looking at the fuel gauge and measuring fuel usage in one-eighth of a tank increments.
"Rental vehicles are generally provided to customers with a full tank of gasoline, and renters are asked to return the vehicle in the same condition. If and when customers return vehicles to us with less gas than they left with, we impose a per-gallon charge for the missing gas and the refueling service we provide," said Tom Gartland, president, North America, Avis Budget Group. "This new technology allows us to be more transparent and precise in the fuel measurement process. In fact, should there be more gasoline in the tank at the time of return than at check-out, the system will record it and a credit to the customer will be issued."
The new fuel system automatically measures and records the precise amount of gas in the tank at the time the customer exits the Avis or Budget rental facility, and measures and records the fuel level again when the vehicle is returned. Both readings are printed on the customer's rental receipt when the vehicle is returned. Through this method customers can clearly see exactly how much fuel they are being charged for and the amount of such a charge. Currently, no charge is assessed if a customer's fuel usage is less than four-tenths of a gallon.
About Avis Budget Group
Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a leading global provider of vehicle rental services, both through its Avis and Budget brands, which have more than 10,000 rental locations in approximately 175 countries around the world, and through its Zipcar brand, which is the world's leading car sharing network, with more than 810,000 members. Avis Budget Group operates most of its car rental offices in North America, Europe and Australia directly, and operates primarily through licensees in other parts of the world. Avis Budget Group has approximately 30,000 employees and is headquartered in Parsippany, N.J. More information is available at www.avisbudgetgroup.com .
Alice Pereira (973) 496-6113
