/ / / / / /

Paris' Velib Bike Sharing Grows Up to Add Autolib Car Sharing

Where: Paris, France
October 4, 2011 at 9:26 AM | by | Comments (0)

Late last year we heard that Paris was going to improve on its vehicle-sharing program by adding some electric cars. Well, that time is now, as it looks like Autolib—just like the Velib bikes—is ready to hit the streets.

Earlier this month the city rolled out the first couple of cars to launch the new electric car sharing system. The Bolloré BlueCars are part of a two-month trial program, but if all goes well there will be as many as 3,000 of the cars available for a quick jaunt by 2012. The initial rollout is already underway, with about 66 new cars spread across the city and its 33 rental stations.

As things stand now, the program will set renters back between 4 and 8 euros for each half hour. You’ll also need to spend a little bit extra to score a membership, and this should start around 10 euros for a day of driving about the city.

Obviously car-sharing programs are hardly groundbreaking, but what’s unique about Autolib is that it’s one of the first—if not the first—to be backed and supported by a city. Sure there’s some companies and groups that could make some cash off its success, but it’s all being done by the city of Paris for the people of Paris (and okay yes, Paris' visitors).

Hopefully we can take one of these for a spin soon. Heck, there might even be room in the back of that bubble to toss our Velib bike if we get tired.

[Photo: via LA Times]

Comments (0)

Post a Comment

Return to » Paris' Velib Bike Sharing Grows Up to Add Autolib Car Sharing

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices