Eco-friendly isn’t the first word that comes to mind when a person thinks of limousines. But ever since Leo DiCaprio, Cameron Diaz and about a half-dozen other celebrities rolled up to the Oscars in Priuses instead of limos, innovative engineers within the industry have jumped onboard the green bandwagon.
Now you no longer have to suffer eco-conscious guilt trips when you travel by limo. Instead you can feel proud knowing you’re doing your part to save the environment – and looking better while you do it.
What Makes a Limo Eco?
Cleaner Fuel
The new fuels used to power limos are the biggest change towards making luxury transportation easier on the environment. Limos are now being built to run off of flex fuels that increase the MPG, are more sustainable and emit less greenhouse gases.
BioDiesel – emits up to 90% less greenhouse gases
E85 (Ethanol) – it’s renewable and produces 60% less ozone-forming emissions compared to regular fuel
Liquefied Petroleum Gas – lowered carbon content than gasoline and burns cleaner than both gas and diesel
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) – emits even less greenhouse gas emissions than LPG, gasoline and diesel, and it’s safer
Combo Engines
Hybrid engines aren’t just for cars and SUVs anymore. Today, a number of limos are making the switch to hybrid electric/gas engines. The batteries boost the MPG of hybrid limousines and can produce power for electronics, lights, TVs and more without having to run the engine unlike gas-only limos.
Carpooling
Carpooling was the original way to save fuel long before the green movement took off. Limos allow more people to ride together, reducing the number of vehicles and gas needed to get everyone from one place to the next.
Eco Limo Service is About More Than the Fleet
A lot of companies are trying to capitalize on consumer’s eco-friendly interests, even those that don’t own an eco limo. Some companies think simply adding a hybrid vehicle to their fleet is enough to call themselves a green limo business.
If you want to find a truly eco-friendly Austin limousine rental service here are the things to look for:
- Hybrid limos – not just cars and SUVs
- Flex fuel limos
- Eco-friendly administrative practices such as the option for paperless transactions
- Participation in carbon offsetting programs
The Most Eco-Friendly Limousines Today
Don’t be surprised if you see start seeing celebrities pull up to the red carpet in these eco limo frontrunners.
Prius Limo
A Canadian family man was among the first to get eco limos rolling down the road when he created a custom, stretched Prius in 2007 that has since been dubbed a “Primo”. The well-known hybrid car was transformed into a 6-door, 8-seater that’s still reportedly capable of getting 50 MPG.
Nissan Leaf Stretch Limousine
Last year Imperial LimoLand built the first all-electric limo for the Embassy Suites hotel in Franklin, TN using a Nissan Leaf. The limo Leaf can now take up to 8 passengers nearly 100 miles on one charge.
Knight XV
Limo – check. Eco-friendly – check. Armored – check. The Knight XV is all these things and more. Perfect for anyone that needs the upmost in protection, for both themselves and the environment.
Wubbo Ockels Superbus
Technically considered to be a bus, this super cool hybrid looks more like futuristic limo. The Dutch-created vehicle can hold up to 23 passengers and still reach top speeds of 155 miles per hour. Pretty impressive for a vehicle with lithium powered electric motors.
Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid Limo
In 2008 LimeLight CoachWorks created the world’s first Hybrid SUV limo out of a Chevrolet Tahoe hybrid. The California-based company added more than 13 feet to the original model, which is estimated to get 80% better mileage than a non-hybrid Tahoe.
We’ll have to wait a few more days to see if celebrities decide to blend comfort and luxury with eco-consciousness when they arrive at this year’s Oscars.