Enterprise Rent-A-Car today announced the addition of five Nissan LEAF electric vehicles (EVs) and a charging station to its Northampton, Mass., location.

The EVs will be added to the current selection of hybrid vehicles available throughout Northampton and the surrounding area. “We selected this location because Northampton is a progressive community equipped with multiple charging stations that are open to the public,” said Larry Kucharski, vice president and general manager for Enterprise Holdings in western Massachusetts. “We are excited to offer these new EVs and provide even more alternatives to our customers and neighbors in Northampton.”

According to the Wharton’s Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership (IGEL) report — “Next Stop, Innovation: What’s Ahead for Urban Mobility?” — the future of electric vehicles is affected by many wild cards, including price of gas, legislation and subsidies, improvements and price reductions in battery technology as well as availability of charging stations.

“We recognize that electric vehicles face significant technological and public-policy challenges,” said Lee Broughton, corporate sustainability officer for Enterprise Holdings. “At an estimated cost of $2 in electricity to fully charge a vehicle, clean fuel and engine technologies offer a cheaper and more sustainable transportation solution.”

According to Enterprise Holdings, EVs and hybrids are part of Enterprise’s ongoing partnership with automotive manufacturers and local municipalities to build support for alternative fuel vehicle technologies, charging stations and other infrastructure.

For more information about Enterprise’s work to expand clean fuel options, visit www.DrivingFutures.com.