GM, Enterprise see possibilities in biofuels, rideshares

Leaders from the world’s biggest car maker and the biggest car rental company see possibilities in various types of vehicle sustainability.
<p>From alternative fuels to sharing rides, General Motors of North America President Mark Reuss and Enterprise Holdings Chief Executive Officer Andrew Taylor gave their thoughts Monday during a 45-minute discussion at the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis.</p>
<p>"We have to be very flexible," Taylor said.</p>
<p>Reuss noted biofuels are promising.</p>
<p>We've got all kinds of options with CNGs (compressed natural gas)," he said. He said the infrastructure is there, but not the tools to efficiently get it into the car.</p>
<p>Taylor said it's too early to say where electric vehicles will go, with more charging stations needed and the issue of traveling range. Reuss, whose company makes the hybrid Chevrolet Volt, said those vehicles are not for all, but he also sees promise.</p>
<p>Both GM and Enterprise have also dipped into the car sharing business. Peer-to-peer ridesharing service <a href="https://relayrides.com/&quot; target="_blank" title="RelayRides">RelayRides</a> has a partnership with GM subsidiary OnStar that also uses technology helpful for the business such as unlocking doors through a mobile phone.&nbsp;(<a href="http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2012/03/19/why-gm-working-car-sharing-firm…; target="_blank">http://www.greenbiz.<wbr />com/blog/2012/03/19/why-gm-<wbr />working-car-sharing-firm-<wbr />relayrides</a>). Enterprise also tried a few, and Taylor sees some type of merger with the traditional car rental business in the future. On sustainability in their supply chains, Taylor said Enterprise is in the early stages of asking suppliers. Reuss said they take a hard look at it, but didn&rsquo;t give specifics.</p>
<p>The two were also asked their thoughts on topics such as the country&rsquo;s energy policies. On the effect of climate change, Taylor said the more&nbsp;important opinion is the customer&rsquo;s.</p>
<p>"It's not a question of what I believe,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a question of what our customers believe.&rdquo;</p>