Toyota Starts EV Car Sharing in the U.S.
In a company first for the U.S., Toyota launched an electric car sharing initiative in partnership with the Advanced Power & Energy Program from University of California, Irvine.
Toyota Motor Corp. partnered with University of California Irvine to bring its electric car sharing initiative to the U.S. for the first time, according to an announcement from UCI on March 21.
Through Toyota’s partnership with the university’s Advanced Power & Energy Program, 30 2013 Scion iQ electric vehicles will be added to the UCI-administered Zero Emission Vehicle-Network Enabled Transport (ZEV-NET) fleet.
ZEV-NET provides battery-powered transportation for the “last mile” of commutes. Commuters to UCI and area businesses who are enrolled in ZEV-NET will be able to pick up a vehicle from the Irvine Transportation Center to rent daily.
“Mobility is evolving, and Toyota is exploring new business models for future transportation needs,” said Craig Scott, advanced technology vehicle manager for Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. “ZEV-NET helps us understand how electric vehicles are used within an active car sharing program and the viability of this type of program for future technologies.”
Auto Rental News reported last year that Toyota would use the iQ EVs for car sharing programs in the United States, while electric car sharing from Toyota is already available in Japan and also recently launched in France.
More Rental Operations
Stop Losing Money On Rental Tolls
Regardless of your rental fleet size and structure, fleet managers, executives, and owners can gain valuable insights into an often-overlooked area of fleet operations.
Read More →
Rethink The Future To Avert A Race To The Bottom
Rental car operators heard a sobering industry message and a stern challenge at the close of the International Car Rental Show.
Read More →
DriveItAway, Free2move Plan Shared Fleet Program for Independent Rental Fleet Operators
Vehicles would be placed with participating rental operations to support car renter demand and provide additional fleet capacity.
Read More →
Stellantis Recalls 1.3 Million Jeep Vehicles Worldwide Over Fire Risk
Stellantis is recalling more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide over a fire risk linked to power steering pump wiring.
Read More →
Green Motion And U-Save Open Rental Operations In Guatemala
The brands will open their first rental car outlets in the country at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City.
Read More →
U.S. Business Travel Drives $623 Billion+ in Economic Impact as Spending Reaches $538 Billion
The data also underscores the industry’s strong multiplier effect across the U.S. economy, revealing that each dollar invested in business travel in 2024 generated $1.16 in GDP.
Read More →
Rental Fleet Sales Skating Just Above 2025 Levels
The U.S. economy's continued growth and positive business investment are creating a favorable environment for fleet vehicle demand.
Read More →
Grow Your Rental Business Beyond Cars
Rental fleet operations are facing numerous evolving challenges and opportunities from AI technology to rate and revenue management, to customer service and business growth.
Read More →
Using AI to Create Clarity, Not Conflict, in Rental Car Damage
Rental companies still need people, policy, judgment, and thoughtful implementation, with operators remaining in control of the customer experience.
Read More →
Get Ready To Roll: No Stopping Self-Driving Rental Cars
The autonomous mobility technology revolution will move at its own pace, but sooner rather than later.
Read More →