Would like to lessen your carbon footprint by ditching your car, but are afraid of not having the transportation when you need it? If you live in downtown Raleigh, this now could be a reality: Enterprise Rent-A-Car, in partnership with Downtown Raleigh, has launched an hourly car rental program for short-term driving needs. Read more about it here.

In other green car-related news, an American auto-maker will offer a hybrid car for the same lower price as its gas-powered counterpart for the very first time. Read more here.

ZipCar and other car-sharing plans have become popular at universities including Duke and UNC, and now a car-sharing program is coming to downtown Raleigh.

Mayor Charles Meeker and members of Raleigh's Downtown Living Advocates will roll out a program Wednesday using a couple of vehicles from WeCar, part of the Enterprise car rental company.

One car will be parked at Glenwood South, the other at the Enterprise office downtown. Members who pay a fee to join will be able to reserve a car and use it for $10 an hour, fuel included.

The event takes place at Enterprise Rent-a-Car, 431 S. McDowell Street, at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.