Blog of RENAULT NISSAN Alliance

Did you know that electric vehicles aren’t just changing the way we drive cars, they are also changing the way we view the entire concept of car ownership? Hand-in-hand with the rise in sales of EVs, there has been a rise in the number of viable car-sharing schemes. And there’s a strong link between the two.

 

Many of those businesses have opted to use EVs for their city-based car sharing schemes for a number of reasons, not least that EVs cost less to operate and require less maintenance. That they also reduce air and noise pollution is an added bonus.

 

Car sharing is certainly a growth area. According to a report from Navigant Research, car sharing users could grow worldwide from 2.3 million in 2013 to 12 million by 2020.

 

“Car sharing offers members the ability to enjoy mobility without the expense and hassle of owning a car, or the need to frequently rent a vehicle from a traditional car rental agency,” says Navigant senior research analyst Lisa Jerram.

 

“In addition, car sharing is viewed by both public and private entities as a powerful tool to reduce urban congestion and lower greenhouse gas emissions.”

 

One of the most recent companies to turn to EVs for its car-sharing programme is the CMS Consortium in Malaysia. Using EVs from Renault and Nissan – Zoe, Twizy and LEAF – its Cohesive Mobility Solution (known as COMOS) integrates services from EV charging providers, fleet operators, parking management companies and telecommunications operators to provide a seamless public transport service.

 

And in France, telecommunications giant Orange has taken delivery of 200 EVs – Renault Zoe and Kangoo and Nissan LEAF and e-NV200 – to satisfy car-sharing needs between its offices and installations across the country.

 

A change is coming and the Alliance is leading the way.