Zipcar has announced the addition of four new 2014 Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrids to their Boston fleet, in addition to plug-in stations and priority parking for Zipcars and other hybrid vehicles at the Boston Common Garage, according to a press release.

"With these new additions, at the Boston Common Garage, you can now find a green spot all year long," James E. Rooney, the executive director of MCCA, said. "We pride ourselves with running an organization that strives to have as little impact on our environment as possible

"Thanks to our five-year partnership with Zipcar and their growing fleet of plug-in hybrids in Massachusetts, we can continue to offer services which enhance the quality of life in Boston and throughout the Commonwealth," Rooney added.

The new "green zone" is part of an ongoing effort by the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which owns and operates the garage, to create environmentally friendly public parking.

"Electric vehicles are great for the environment since they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and traditional tailpipe pollutants while using domestic sources of energy with stable costs, saving thousands of dollars in fueling costs over the life of the car," Maeve Vallely Bartlett, the Undersecretary of Environment at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, said. "We applaud the partnership between MCCA and Zipcar as being the first to offer their customers the electric vehicle experience."

Zipcar has been a pioneer in using advanced vehicle technologies as the first car sharing company in the United States to introduce electric vehicles. Boston was the first city the vehicles were introduced in, back in 2002. Zipcar is now also the first to offer hybrid vehicles through a partnership with Honda in 2003 in Seattle.

The new green parking area in Boston is branded and located a few feet from the entrance to the facility and the exit ramps. Signs will lead drivers to the area, which will be restricted to only Zipcar hybrid or plug-in, as well as privately owned, vehicles.

These parking charging stations were funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.