VW's Electrify America Unveils EV Sharing in Sacramento

Electrify America will unveil its electric car-sharing service for an apartment complex in Sacramento, Calif., as part of the company’s $44 million investment in the city.

The Whispering Pines Apartments in Meadowview will feature hundreds of electric vehicles from Envoy, an electric car-sharing company awarded funds by Electrify America, according to a release from the company. Residents of the complex will be able to rent the cars on a per-minute, per-hour or daily basis.

Envoy is the first of two electric car share initiatives Electrify America is supporting in Sacramento. By early 2019, Envoy will offer 142 Volkswagen e-Golf electric cars at 71 locations with “Level 2” charging stations.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Electrify America, and Envoy will introduce the program’s first electric cars on Nov. 1, according to a release. Envoy’s electric car-sharing service includes insurance for drivers with a valid driver’s license and good driving record. Residents can unlock the cars through the “Envoy There” mobile application for Android and iOS. The program was designed to provide needed mobility to lower income communities.

Electrify America and the City of Sacramento this week also launched the “Sac-to-Zero” initiative, which aims to accelerate the use of shared “clean mobility” transportation. Electrify America is funding electric vehicle charging infrastructure, zero emissions car sharing, and electric shuttle and bus programs. A second car-sharing company, Gig, plans to arrive in Sacramento in 2019 with 260 electric vehicles that can be picked up by customers and dropped off anywhere within a 13-mile home zone.

“The objective behind Sac-to-Zero is to provide widespread access and use of zero emissions-related transportation options for Sacramento-area residents, particularly those living in affordable housing communities where access to transportation can be limited and more difficult,” said Richard Steinberg, senior director of marketing, communications and Green City initiatives, Electrify America. “Envoy’s car sharing program is the first-step in our multi-pronged approach.”

Sac-to-Zero is the new name for Electrify America’s Green City initiative in Sacramento, which is part of the company’s California Cycle 1 Investment Plan. The City plans to increase access to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs), expand ZEV technology use, and prepare Sacramento for future electric vehicle adoption. Over a 10-year period ending in 2027, Electrify America is investing $800 million in California to install electric vehicle-charging infrastructure and ZEV education and access programs in the U.S.

Originally posted on Automotive Fleet