Entitled Auto-mobile, Communauto, a Canadian-based car rental company, launched this self-service electric car-sharing program in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal district on Sunday.

According to Communauto, this pilot program is the first of its kind in Canada. It will run from mid-June to late October of this year.

“Le Plateau-Mont-Royal is delighted Communauto has chosen [us] for this pilot project, and we have no doubt that this new service will be enthusiastically welcomed by our residents … ,” said Luc Ferrandez, mayor of the borough Plateau Mont-Royal.

With 20 vehicles available, drivers will pay 38 cents per minute, $12 per hour or $50 per day, according to Communauto.

“We want to know the real effects of such a project on the travel habits of Montrealers,” said Daniel Bouchard of Montreal’s Environment Council. “Environmental gains could be very significant on our greenhouse gas effects and air contaminants, if this service replaces gas-powered motor movements. …”

For more information, visit www.communauto.com/auto-mobile. (Note: the website is in French.)