Electric Car Rental Scheme hits Paris
Pay-as-you-drive electric car rentals are expected to help cut pollution and reduce traffic in Paris, as the new fleet of fully electric Autiolib’ vehicles hits the French capital. Since December 2011 Parisians can take the bubble cars for a ride from more than 1,200 parking spots where they rest for recharge. A subscription cost €10 a day or €15 a week, while an annual subscription of €144 subscription allows users to take the car for only half an hour each time for €5, just over the price of two underground tickets. The Autolib’ system builds on the success of the Velib’ bicycle-sharing service as soaring insurance and parking costs have already persuaded 25% of French citizens to cut back or give up on using their cars, according to a study published last year by Chronos TNS Sofres. The little four-seater Bluecar, will have a range of up to 250 km between before a recharge which will take about four hours. The car rental scheme follows the car-sharing project launched on 30 September 2011, which also aimed to clear the traffic-clogged Parisian boulevards and deliver what its backers hoped would be a major boost for electric vehicles. Under the €235 million [...]
