car2go and Europcar launched their car-sharing service in Lyon, France, according to a recent company press release. With a fleet of 200 low-emission and compact vehicles, car2go allows consumers to reserve vehicles anytime without having to specify a time or place of return in advance.

“The 2010 Europcar’s Transportation and Mobility Observatory showed that 47% of European urban drivers are considering giving up their cars, and 61% of them consider cars available in self-service to be an attractive mobility option,” said Philippe Guillemot, CEO of Europcar Groupe. “Car2go will provide Lyon people with a fully-flexible service, combined with short term car rental services for a fully comprehensive mobility solution.”

Members can find car2go vehicles via car2go’s website or the new shop in Lyon.

Selected vehicles can be unlocked using a personal membership card. At the end of the trip, drivers can simply leave the car at their destination at any public parking space or at Lyon car-sharing stations. Parking fees are included in the per-minute rental fee at no additional cost.

car2go has also already launched in seven other cities: Ulm and Hamburg, Germany; Amsterdam; Vienna; Austin, Texas; San Diego; and Vancouver, Canada.

In October 2011, car2go and Europcar announced a plan for Europewide expansion of the car-sharing service that uses Smart Fortwo vehicles.