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Car Sharing Some people say that they wish they had a different car for every day of the week. And at MotorWeek we couldn't agree more, because we often do! But FYI Reporter Yolanda Vazquez is on to an idea that makes such driven diversity possible, practical, and even smart! – John Davis
MATT ACHHAMMER: I sort of committed myself to it about four or five years ago that I wasn't going to have a car again if I could because I just believe it's a good way of life, a good way to go. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: But there are times when he could certainly use a set of wheels. And he may be in luck…thanks to a new car sharing program called RelayRides. SHELBY CLARK: RelayRides is the world's first peer-to-peer car sharing service. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: Shelby Clark is the mastermind behind this novel car sharing concept. It allows car owners to rent out their personal vehicles to those in need of a temporary ride. SHELBY CLARK: My friends thought the idea was a little crazy when I first came up with it. And I said, "No. I think we can make this work."
Once the doors unlock, a renter grabs the key in the glovebox, punches in their reservation code and they're off. SHELBY CLARK: Each of these circles represent an area we think would be well-served by car-sharing. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: At prices that range from $5 to $12 an hour, Clark says it's a convenient and affordable way to rent a car. SHELBY CLARK: For people who need a car, this service makes a lot of sense and they're really embracing the idea and really happy about it. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: Car owners, like Jeanne Lauber, are a little leery at first about signing up. What do you think about that idea that you're lending out your personal vehicle? JEANNE LAUBER: I thought of that, and I'm very attached to my Trixie Toyota. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: But she quickly warmed up to the idea after reading all the benefits listed on their pamphlet.
YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: A strong car sharing advocate, Lauber says she's enthused by a program that's "for the people, by the people." JEANNE LAUBER: It's important, especially with oil dependence and everything, that we find other ways to have transportation. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: Since Clark's concept is so new, he fields a lot of questions and as you might imagine the biggest one is-what if something happens to my car? SHELBY CLARK: We provide a million dollar insurance policy that covers damage, theft and liability. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: The supplemental insurance gives Lauber added peace of mind. JEANNE LAUBER: So should-heaven forbid-anything happen, then they cover that expense. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: Clark admits his RelayRides concept is a new twist on an old idea: Zipcar, a popular car-sharing service that's been around for nearly a decade, offers the same service but with their own fleet of vehicles. ELLICE PEREZ: You can make a reservation online, on your iPhone, over your Blackberry, over the phone…and then you can be in a car within minutes. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: D.C. manager Ellice Perez says drivers who get rid of their cars and switch to Zipcar can save big bucks. ELLICE PEREZ: The average Zipster who sells their car and joins Zipcar saves $600 a month…that's almost a $10,000 pay raise at the end of the year. YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: Perez, a longtime Zipcar user, says car-sharing challenges most Americans' notion of car ownership. But she, like Achhammer, sees how its broadening appeal fits in perfectly with an environmentally-conscious urban lifestyle. MATT ACHHAMMER: It may be a big step at first to jump over that idea of having your own private car, but when you get to the point where you realize how much it's going to save you in time, frustration, money…and if you don't really need a car, if you can make your life one without it-it will be a better way to go.
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YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: Matt Achhammer hasn't owned a car in years. As a young urban dweller, he walks and uses his scooter to get around town.
YOLANDA VAZQUEZ: Car owners sign up online-listing the type of car and available hours for rental. RelayRides will outfit their vehicle with an electronic device that allows renters to access the car.
JEANNE LAUBER: First, I could make some money with my car when I wasn't using it. Second, I could share it with other people who might need access to a car but might not have their own car. And third, it helps the environment.