Toyota Designs 2013 Scion EV for Car Sharing Programs
The 2013 Scion iQ EV is intended for use by car sharing programs in city or campus environments, though the company has not announced what programs it’s in talks with.
The Scion iQ EV
The Scion iQ EV
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. introduced the 2013 Scion iQ for car sharing programs in the United States on Oct. 17. Approximately 90 iQ EVs will be available, though the company has not yet stated which car sharing programs will be using the vehicle.
The iQ EV is a battery-electric car designed for use in urban and campus environments.
“Toyota developed the iQ EV specifically as a city commuter, where driving distances are likely to be short, charging opportunities numerous, and its compact proportions beneficial,” said Chris Hostetter, TMS group VP of strategic planning.
The iQ EV features Toyota’s high-output lithium-ion battery that can be fully charged in three hours. On a full charge, the 12kWh battery allows the iQ to travel up to 50 miles.
In addition, there are three driving modes to select from to either use the least amount of power during city driving, increase acceleration performance or to maximize braking efficiency.
The iQ EV is equipped with an HDD navigation system and an AVN unit with several EV driving support features. The map can also display an estimate of the distance the iQ EV can travel on its current charge.
More Rental Operations
Advantage, Sixt Place Among Top Five in Annual Satisfaction Study
While Enterprise and National retain the top spots in JD Power’s 2026 rankings, the latest customer satisfaction results suggest renters can find competitive service beyond the biggest car rental names.
Read More →
The $100,000 Insurance Trap in Exotic Car Rentals
Exotic rental agencies often rely on customers’ personal auto policies to protect six-figure vehicles. But policy language can dramatically change the coverage for vehicles over $100,000 MSRP.
Read More →
The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?
For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.
Read More →
ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers
The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.
Read More →
Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service
Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.
Read More →
Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap
A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.
Read More →
U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana
The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.
Read More →
When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?
As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)
Read More →
European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country
Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.
Read More →
Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.
Read More →