car2go of North America, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corp., and the city of San Diego officially launched North America’s first all-electric car-sharing network on Nov. 18, making emissions-free driving a widely available and affordable transportation option for all of San Diego.

A New Way to Get Around
The car2go smart fortwo electric drive car sharing network provides San Diego drivers with flexibility and convenience in urban mobility.

“car2go has set a new milestone in terms of flexible and tailor-made individual mobility,” said Thomas Weber, Daimler board of management member/research & development. “As the innovation leader in the automotive industry, we strive to serve our worldwide customers not only with leading-edge technology but also with groundbreaking new concepts. Therefore, we accelerate the rollout of this cutting-edge mobility concept.”

car2go began deploying 300 smart fortwo electric drive vehicles, which are now in service and available for use in San Diego.

“car2go’s investment here is another major step toward making San Diego the nation’s electric-vehicle capital,” said Mayor Jerry Sanders. “This car-sharing program gives San Diegans a clean transportation option and complements walkable lifestyles in our city’s urban communities.”

Revolutionizing the Car Sharing Industry
Unlike traditional car-sharing programs, car2go meets the daily needs of members by providing a free-floating network of vehicles that is available on-demand for point-to-point trips. Members can use car2go with or without a reservation, for as long as they would like, without having to commit to a return time or location.

“We have designed car2go to be convenient and flexible, to meet the demands of everyday life, and to fit the lifestyle of our members,” said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of car2go N.A., LLC. “It is as easy as having access to your own vehicle, and in some cases, like in densely populated downtown areas such as San Diego, it can actually be easier. car2go fills the gap between where you are and where you want to be.”

San Diegans will now have access to the car2go network of electric vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When they’re finished using the vehicle, members can park in a car2go-designated spot, at city non-restricted meters or on-street in residential neighborhoods within the car2go operating area. Parking, recharging, insurance and maintenance are included. Members pay by the minute, and only for the time they use the vehicle, with discounted rates for hourly and daily use.

Click here for our last news item on car2go's expansion.