Wednesday 16 November 2011

Car2Go anyone?




Three years ago a new concept in city transport started in Ulm Germany. Daimler introduced a fleet of  300 Smart fortwo's cars in a car sharing scheme. The idea is pretty simple : Whenever you need a car, one of the car2go vehicles will be waiting for you. Get in, use it for as long as you want to, then simply leave it at any parking space within the operating area. The car2go operating area currently covers Ulm and Neu-Ulm. Various car2go parkspots which are near to department stores and other popular areas are available.
Cost is  24 cents per minute including  fuel, service, taxes, insurance, maintenance etc. Moreover, for one hour a maximum price of 12,90 euros applies. All of that without security deposit and monthly fee. Only a one-time registration fee of 19,00 euros becomes due and will be charged to your banking account.
In Ulm and Neu Ulm they instantly loved it. Daimler realised they had something that can make a difference.  Many European and American cities inquired about the project. So now the same car2go car sharing scheme works in Vancouver, Austin and San Diego in America and Hambourg, Amsterdam, Wien and Lyon in Europe. In San Diego Daimler is trying emission-free electric vehicles.
I dont know if this advanced car sharing scheme is "The first personal public transport" as Car2Go website  claims but surely is a thing that we will be viewing more and more in the years to come.
Any Australian cities interested?


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