Related: Carsharing Company Provides Free Rides in Ad-Sponsored Vehicles
Hyundai, WaiveCar to Provide Free Electric Carsharing Rides
Hyundai Motors and WaiveCar, an all-electric carsharing service that runs on advertising dollars, have announced a partnership that will give consumers the ability to drive the new Hyundai IONIQ electric sedan for two hours at no charge.

Hyundai's new IONIQ electric compact vehicle will be available through WaiveCar's electric carsharing service. Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America.

Hyundai's new IONIQ electric compact vehicle will be available through WaiveCar's electric carsharing service. Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor America.
Hyundai Motor and WaiveCar, an all-electric carsharing service that runs on advertising dollars, have announced a partnership that will expose consumers to the all-new Hyundai IONIQ electric sedan for free.
The partnership gives consumers the ability to drive IONIQ EVs for two hours at no charge, according to Hyundai. In exchange, the vehicle is wrapped in advertising and includes a roof mounted digital display, which generates the advertising revenue that WaiveCar uses to offset costs.
"WaiveCar presents some great solutions for us," said Mark Dipko, director of corporate planning and strategy at Hyundai Motor America. "The IONIQ offers emissions-free transportation to on-the-go Angelenos. This partnership allows us to reach potential customers and give them the opportunity to test drive our outstanding IONIQ electric while generating awareness for the IONIQ brand at the same time."
The program, which will launch in early 2017, is Hyundai's first large-scale involvement in carsharing. Customers can simply download WaiveCar's app, find an IONIQ near them, book it, and start driving — no cards or keys necessary. WaiveCar then unlocks the door for consumers remotely, where they can find the keys inside. Insurance is also part of the deal.
Users can drive an IONIQ for free for two hours at a time. They can continue to drive for $5.99 an hour or return the car at any designated spot for the next user to pick up, according to Hyundai.
WaiveCar plans to add 150 IONIQs, which will be deployed throughout Los Angeles in the first half of 2017. WaiveCar plans to launch in three additional cities by the end of 2017 — using 250 more IONIQs.
"We are extremely excited to be working together with Hyundai," said Zoli Honig, WaiveCar's CTO and co-founder. "Providing low cost, eco-friendly transportation alternatives to consumers is our core mission and offering the IONIQ will accelerate that goal. We believe this partnership will be tremendously beneficial for Hyundai, WaiveCar, our customers, and the environment."
More Rental Operations

Sixt Revenue Tops $2.4 Billion in First Half of 2026
Sixt’s first-half revenue surpassed $2.4 billion for the first time as demand outpaced fleet growth, lifting utilization and earnings despite weaker consumer sentiment in North America.
Read More →
In Memoriam: Bobby Klyce, Avis Licensee Legend
The longtime Birmingham Avis operator and 2018 Auto Rental News Impact Award recipient was remembered as an advocate for independent licensees and the broader car rental industry.
Read More →How to Build Custom Fleet Tools With AI and Vibe Coding [Webinar]
A new Automotive Fleet webinar explores how fleet managers are using AI and vibe coding to automate routine work and create simple operational tools without traditional programming skills.
Read More →
Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise 3.6% in 2026 Before Easing in 2027
Car rental rates are projected to rise less than airfares and hotel rates in 2026, then become the only major travel category forecast to decline in 2027, according to projections from GBTA and ALTOUR.
Read More →
Avis Cuts Fleet as Summer Demand Trails Expectations
Avis Budget Group increased second-quarter earnings despite lower Americas revenue and softer-than-expected summer demand. The company also expanded Avis First and advanced its autonomous fleet operations with Waymo.
Read More →
Why Bookings Are Only the Start of the Rental Day
A reservation captures demand. The operating test is whether the business can keep the customer, vehicle, commercial terms, and next action aligned until the rental is closed.
Read More →
This Is the Oldest Car Rental Advertisement You’ll Ever See
This ad for Saunders Drive it Yourself, believed to be the first car rental company in the U.S., was found in an Omaha phone book from 1926.
Read More →
The Desk Upsell Is Costing Operators More Than it Earns
Counter upsells generate revenue, but they can also slow transactions, erode trust, and cost repeat business. Fully inclusive pricing may offer operators a better path to long-term value.
Read More →
U-Save Expands Indian Ocean Presence with New Master Franchise for Mauritius
The franchise has been acquired by Mauritian travel entrepreneur Umarfarooq Omarjee, an established figure in the island's tourism and mobility sector.
Read More →
Global Carsharing Fleet Projected to Reach 768,000 Vehicles By 2030
A new Berg Insight forecast outlines several business models driving the projected growth in public carsharing worldwide through 2029.
Read More →
