Daimler's doing its level best to give a lot of people the chance to drive a Smart Fortwo. The ity car is the star of the company's car-sharing program called Car2go, which is expanding into Vienna this December and will, for the first time in the U.S., go all-electric in San Diego, CA this weekend.
In the new European location (which follows Car2go's expansion into Lyon, France and Amsterdam), 500 gas-powered Fortwos will come to Vienna and be ready for short-term rentals in December. After paying a 9,90 Euro one-time registration fee, the cost is 29 Euro cents per minute, 12.90 Euro for an hour or 39 Euro for 24 hours. If you want to keep a rental going while busy somewhere, you pay nine Euro cents a minute to basically hold your reservation. Further details are available in the press release after the jump.
California residents who are interested in the plug-in Smarts in San Diego should sign up now for the Car2go program there, since it's free to do so "for a limited time," and the fleet of 300 electric cars will become available this Friday, November 18th. See the presser after the jump for the free registration code and other details.
Car2go differs from other car-sharing programs because it does not require the vehicle to be returned to a defined space – i.e., where it was picked up. Instead, as long as the car ends up inside the operating area, drivers are free to leave it in any legal parking space when they are finished with it. In Vienna, this area is approximately 80 square kilometers around the city center, Daimler says.
In the new European location (which follows Car2go's expansion into Lyon, France and Amsterdam), 500 gas-powered Fortwos will come to Vienna and be ready for short-term rentals in December. After paying a 9,90 Euro one-time registration fee, the cost is 29 Euro cents per minute, 12.90 Euro for an hour or 39 Euro for 24 hours. If you want to keep a rental going while busy somewhere, you pay nine Euro cents a minute to basically hold your reservation. Further details are available in the press release after the jump.
California residents who are interested in the plug-in Smarts in San Diego should sign up now for the Car2go program there, since it's free to do so "for a limited time," and the fleet of 300 electric cars will become available this Friday, November 18th. See the presser after the jump for the free registration code and other details.
Car2go differs from other car-sharing programs because it does not require the vehicle to be returned to a defined space – i.e., where it was picked up. Instead, as long as the car ends up inside the operating area, drivers are free to leave it in any legal parking space when they are finished with it. In Vienna, this area is approximately 80 square kilometers around the city center, Daimler says.
Vienna Calling: Launch of car2go in Vienna
Vienna, Nov 14, 2011
World's largest car2go fleet to be rolled out in Vienna
500 smart fortwo vehicles will be available for spontaneous rental
Member registration starting November 15th at www.car2go.com
VIENNA – car2go today announced that it is going to start operations in Vienna. Beginning in December, 500 smart fortwo "car2go edition" vehicles will be distributed throughout the Austrian capital. As the world's first mobility program with maximum flexibility and without fixed rental locations, car2go offers its members an opportunity to spontaneously rent vehicles anytime and anywhere without having to specify a time or place of return in advance.
"With car2go you can simply get in and drive. Our customers can rent a vehicle spontaneously - without prior reservation or specifying a time of return. You can simply leave the vehicle at your destination without having to return it to the departure point", says Robert Henrich, Managing Director of car2go GmbH, explaining the special features of the mobility system.
The car2go vehicles can be rented and returned within an operating area of approximately 80 square kilometres covering the city centre and several densely populated suburbs. Unlike traditional carsharing programs or car rental companies, car2go is a free-floating concept. Vehicles will not be parked at fixed stations. Instead, they are moved by the members several times a day so that public parking spaces are occupied no longer than necessary.
In Vienna, car2go is going to deploy the world's first production model specifically developed to enable a fully-automatic and simple rental process: the smart fortwo "car2go edition". It is known for its agility in city traffic and is fitted with an economical petrol engine with automatic start/stop system.
Experience in other cities has shown that car2go is complementing the already existing means of transportation in a city. Customer surveys proof that car2go customers use rail and bus more frequently than their own car to get around the city, reducing the density of traffic in urban areas.
"Vienna has a highly regarded and well-used public transport system. car2go wants to supplement this most important form of transport with a further option for city-dwellers, making the overall system even more attractive", says car2go CEO Henrich.
Customers can rent free car2go vehicles spontaneously on the street or find and reserve them via the internet and smartphone applications. The vehicle selected can be unlocked using a membership card. The car2go rental can be finished at any public parking space within the business area - no need to feed the meter. Customers have complete freedom with regard to when they start their journey, how long they keep the vehicle for and their destination.
car2go is charging a one-time registration fee of 9,90 Euro. There is no deposit, no long-term contract and no annual membership fee.
car2go charges customers only for the actual use of the vehicle, with rental periods as short as a per-minute basis. The rental prices in Vienna are 0,29 Euro per driving minute, 12,90 Euro per hour and 39 Euro per day (24 hours). During stopovers, which can be used for example while shopping, a special parking rate of 0,09 Euro per minute will be calculated.
Fuel, insurance, taxes and parking costs are fully included in this price. car2go drivers do not need to pay for public parking at meters because parking fees are included in the rental fee, determined automatically by car2go Österreich GmbH and paid to the city. The price furthermore includes mileage up to 20 kilometres. Additional kilometres will cost 0,29 Euro each. Experience shows that the average range of a car2go rental is between 5 and 10 kilometres so the extra mileage costs are only relevant for those members who leave the city.
From November 15th, Vienna residents can register at www.car2go.com. From November 21st, they can also register in person at the car2go office at Hintere Zollamtsstraße 9 in 1030 Vienna. Currently, all new members will receive a 60 minute driving credit as a thank you for their registration.
In September 2011, the car2go Österreich GmbH was founded as a company of the Daimler subsidiary car2go GmbH. It will be integrated into the Joint Venture between car2go and Europcar International named car2go Europe GmbH after the official foundation of the company.
car2go has already been successfully launched in four cities: in October 2008 in Ulm, in November 2009 in the Texan capital of Austin (USA), in April 2011 in Hamburg and in June 2011 in Vancouver (Canada). A total of more than 1000 car2go vehicles are currently on the road and more than 45.000 members have registered for the service. End of November, launch is scheduled in Amsterdam and in San Diego, California. In January, car2go is going to start operations in its first French city Lyon.
car2go San Diego to Launch The First All-Electric Carsharing Program in North America, Nov. 18, 2011
Member registration opens Nov. 2 and is currently free of charge, plus new members will receive 30 free minutes of driving time
car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles available for use in San Diego beginning Nov. 18
car2go San Diego Ride & Drive event set for Nov. 18 & 19
SAN DIEGO - car2go N.A., LLC, a subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, and the City of San Diego will launch North America's first all-electric carsharing program on Nov. 18, 2011.
Vehicle Deployment & Free Registration
The deployment of 300 car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles will begin Nov.18, and will be available for members to use on the same day. Member registration will open online at Nov. 2.
Registration is currently free of charge, and for a limited time, new members will receive 30 free minutes of driving time. San Diego residents can register at sandiego.car2go.com and use the promotional code PLUGIN.
As car2go members, San Diego residents will have access to the car2go smart fortwo electric vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The emissions-free vehicles can be accessed anytime, with or without a reservation, for as long as needed without having to commit to a specific time or location to return the vehicle. Members are billed by the minute and pay only for the time they use the vehicle. Parking, recharging, insurance and maintenance are included at no additional cost to members.
car2go San Diego Ride & Drive Event
On Nov. 18, car2go and the City of San Diego will host a press conference and a car2go San Diego Ride & Drive event, open to the public and free of charge. The event will be held adjacent to San Diego's primary transportation hub: the historic Santa Fe Station, located at the corner of West Broadway and Pacific Highway.
The car2go San Diego Ride & Drive event will begin at 10 a.m. The public will be invited to drive the car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles, and there will be interactive information stations where attendees can learn about the car2go carsharing program, electric drive vehicles, how to charge an electric vehicle, and more.
During a 1 p.m. press conference, selected officials will explain the car2go operating area and parking details, and provide information on the electric vehicles and the City of San Diego's electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
A second car2go San Diego Ride & Drive event will take place the following day, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again, will be open to the public and free of charge.
To stay informed of the latest news and events, members and prospective members can become a fan of car2go San Diego on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/car2go.SanDiegoor follow @car2goSanDiego on twitter.
car2go - A Different Way to Carshare
A wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, car2go N. A. LLC offers an innovative mobility solution redefining individual transportation in rapidly growing urban areas by offering a fleet of several hundred environment-friendly smart fortwo vehicles for rent. It provides an innovative mode of "on-demand" transportation, which complements existing public transportation alternatives by bridging the gaps commonly associated with the "first and last mile" of a public transit commute.
car2go is currently operational in four cities: Austin, Texas; Vancouver, British Columbia; Hamburg, Germany; and Ulm, Germany. In November 2011, car2go will launch the world's largest all-electric vehicle carsharing fleet in the cities of San Diego, California and Amsterdam, Netherlands, with the deployment of 300 car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles in each city.
Unlike traditional carsharing programs or car rental companies, car2go is not station-based. car2go vehicles are located throughout the city and can be accessed on-demand or reserved in advance. The members may use the vehicle for as long as they like, without committing to a specific return time or return location. Charges are based on minutes used and include fuel, insurance, parking and maintenance.
The innovation and environmental sustainability of car2go has earned international acclaim: In September 2010, car2go was recognized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the "2010 Greater Austin Business Award" for its positive impact on traffic in the city. The same month, car2go received the "Clean Tech Media Award" in the category of "Mobility" in Berlin. In May 2010, car2go was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its prestigious "2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award." Further information on car2go is available at www.car2go.comand www.media.daimler.com/ms/car2go/e.
Vienna, Nov 14, 2011
World's largest car2go fleet to be rolled out in Vienna
500 smart fortwo vehicles will be available for spontaneous rental
Member registration starting November 15th at www.car2go.com
VIENNA – car2go today announced that it is going to start operations in Vienna. Beginning in December, 500 smart fortwo "car2go edition" vehicles will be distributed throughout the Austrian capital. As the world's first mobility program with maximum flexibility and without fixed rental locations, car2go offers its members an opportunity to spontaneously rent vehicles anytime and anywhere without having to specify a time or place of return in advance.
"With car2go you can simply get in and drive. Our customers can rent a vehicle spontaneously - without prior reservation or specifying a time of return. You can simply leave the vehicle at your destination without having to return it to the departure point", says Robert Henrich, Managing Director of car2go GmbH, explaining the special features of the mobility system.
The car2go vehicles can be rented and returned within an operating area of approximately 80 square kilometres covering the city centre and several densely populated suburbs. Unlike traditional carsharing programs or car rental companies, car2go is a free-floating concept. Vehicles will not be parked at fixed stations. Instead, they are moved by the members several times a day so that public parking spaces are occupied no longer than necessary.
In Vienna, car2go is going to deploy the world's first production model specifically developed to enable a fully-automatic and simple rental process: the smart fortwo "car2go edition". It is known for its agility in city traffic and is fitted with an economical petrol engine with automatic start/stop system.
Experience in other cities has shown that car2go is complementing the already existing means of transportation in a city. Customer surveys proof that car2go customers use rail and bus more frequently than their own car to get around the city, reducing the density of traffic in urban areas.
"Vienna has a highly regarded and well-used public transport system. car2go wants to supplement this most important form of transport with a further option for city-dwellers, making the overall system even more attractive", says car2go CEO Henrich.
Customers can rent free car2go vehicles spontaneously on the street or find and reserve them via the internet and smartphone applications. The vehicle selected can be unlocked using a membership card. The car2go rental can be finished at any public parking space within the business area - no need to feed the meter. Customers have complete freedom with regard to when they start their journey, how long they keep the vehicle for and their destination.
car2go is charging a one-time registration fee of 9,90 Euro. There is no deposit, no long-term contract and no annual membership fee.
car2go charges customers only for the actual use of the vehicle, with rental periods as short as a per-minute basis. The rental prices in Vienna are 0,29 Euro per driving minute, 12,90 Euro per hour and 39 Euro per day (24 hours). During stopovers, which can be used for example while shopping, a special parking rate of 0,09 Euro per minute will be calculated.
Fuel, insurance, taxes and parking costs are fully included in this price. car2go drivers do not need to pay for public parking at meters because parking fees are included in the rental fee, determined automatically by car2go Österreich GmbH and paid to the city. The price furthermore includes mileage up to 20 kilometres. Additional kilometres will cost 0,29 Euro each. Experience shows that the average range of a car2go rental is between 5 and 10 kilometres so the extra mileage costs are only relevant for those members who leave the city.
From November 15th, Vienna residents can register at www.car2go.com. From November 21st, they can also register in person at the car2go office at Hintere Zollamtsstraße 9 in 1030 Vienna. Currently, all new members will receive a 60 minute driving credit as a thank you for their registration.
In September 2011, the car2go Österreich GmbH was founded as a company of the Daimler subsidiary car2go GmbH. It will be integrated into the Joint Venture between car2go and Europcar International named car2go Europe GmbH after the official foundation of the company.
car2go has already been successfully launched in four cities: in October 2008 in Ulm, in November 2009 in the Texan capital of Austin (USA), in April 2011 in Hamburg and in June 2011 in Vancouver (Canada). A total of more than 1000 car2go vehicles are currently on the road and more than 45.000 members have registered for the service. End of November, launch is scheduled in Amsterdam and in San Diego, California. In January, car2go is going to start operations in its first French city Lyon.
car2go San Diego to Launch The First All-Electric Carsharing Program in North America, Nov. 18, 2011
Member registration opens Nov. 2 and is currently free of charge, plus new members will receive 30 free minutes of driving time
car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles available for use in San Diego beginning Nov. 18
car2go San Diego Ride & Drive event set for Nov. 18 & 19
SAN DIEGO - car2go N.A., LLC, a subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, and the City of San Diego will launch North America's first all-electric carsharing program on Nov. 18, 2011.
Vehicle Deployment & Free Registration
The deployment of 300 car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles will begin Nov.18, and will be available for members to use on the same day. Member registration will open online at Nov. 2.
Registration is currently free of charge, and for a limited time, new members will receive 30 free minutes of driving time. San Diego residents can register at sandiego.car2go.com and use the promotional code PLUGIN.
As car2go members, San Diego residents will have access to the car2go smart fortwo electric vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The emissions-free vehicles can be accessed anytime, with or without a reservation, for as long as needed without having to commit to a specific time or location to return the vehicle. Members are billed by the minute and pay only for the time they use the vehicle. Parking, recharging, insurance and maintenance are included at no additional cost to members.
car2go San Diego Ride & Drive Event
On Nov. 18, car2go and the City of San Diego will host a press conference and a car2go San Diego Ride & Drive event, open to the public and free of charge. The event will be held adjacent to San Diego's primary transportation hub: the historic Santa Fe Station, located at the corner of West Broadway and Pacific Highway.
The car2go San Diego Ride & Drive event will begin at 10 a.m. The public will be invited to drive the car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles, and there will be interactive information stations where attendees can learn about the car2go carsharing program, electric drive vehicles, how to charge an electric vehicle, and more.
During a 1 p.m. press conference, selected officials will explain the car2go operating area and parking details, and provide information on the electric vehicles and the City of San Diego's electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
A second car2go San Diego Ride & Drive event will take place the following day, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again, will be open to the public and free of charge.
To stay informed of the latest news and events, members and prospective members can become a fan of car2go San Diego on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/car2go.SanDiegoor follow @car2goSanDiego on twitter.
car2go - A Different Way to Carshare
A wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, car2go N. A. LLC offers an innovative mobility solution redefining individual transportation in rapidly growing urban areas by offering a fleet of several hundred environment-friendly smart fortwo vehicles for rent. It provides an innovative mode of "on-demand" transportation, which complements existing public transportation alternatives by bridging the gaps commonly associated with the "first and last mile" of a public transit commute.
car2go is currently operational in four cities: Austin, Texas; Vancouver, British Columbia; Hamburg, Germany; and Ulm, Germany. In November 2011, car2go will launch the world's largest all-electric vehicle carsharing fleet in the cities of San Diego, California and Amsterdam, Netherlands, with the deployment of 300 car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles in each city.
Unlike traditional carsharing programs or car rental companies, car2go is not station-based. car2go vehicles are located throughout the city and can be accessed on-demand or reserved in advance. The members may use the vehicle for as long as they like, without committing to a specific return time or return location. Charges are based on minutes used and include fuel, insurance, parking and maintenance.
The innovation and environmental sustainability of car2go has earned international acclaim: In September 2010, car2go was recognized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the "2010 Greater Austin Business Award" for its positive impact on traffic in the city. The same month, car2go received the "Clean Tech Media Award" in the category of "Mobility" in Berlin. In May 2010, car2go was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its prestigious "2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award." Further information on car2go is available at www.car2go.comand www.media.daimler.com/ms/car2go/e.
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Featured Gallery Car2go in Vienna
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