Eco-car rentals to follow bicycle initiative
14 September 2009
After the Velib initiative, where bicycles can be taken at automatic rental points, which in a few years has become a symbol of Paris, Mayor Bertrand Delanoe is now launching an initiative to rent electric vehicles. Management of the public service will be awarded at the end of the year after a competitive bid.
"It is the first time in a large city. It has never been done anywhere else, except for in Germany." Delanoe is modelling his version of the plan on a smaller scale initiative in Ulm, which has 120,000 residents. "It is a revolutionary system," said the mayor who has been promoting "green" initiatives for years.
After the success enjoyed by Velib, the bike rental system, now Autolib will arrive, with 4,000 vehicles distributed at 1,000 points in the city and surrounding area, accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A monthly pass will cost between 15 and 20 euros and the use of a vehicle for 30 minutes will cost between 4 and 6 euros. The vehicles can be charged at about 100 stations.
Source: Ansamed