Electric car sharing – the way to sustainable personal mobility

Move About combines electrical cars with car sharing to provide environmental, energy efficient and flexible mobility for their customers

Less is more: Move About covers the personal transportation needs for their 1500 customers with only 90 cars.

For the last century, cars have been a symbol of freedom and adventure. Our societies are built around the mobility that cars give us, and this independence and flexibility is something few of us want to let go. But our cars are also a main contributor to pollution, health problems and climate change. Public, sustainable transportation could solve some of these problems, but how do we make that transition without losing the benefits of personal mobility?

Driving an electric car creates no pollution, and makes almost no noise. Its motor is about three times more energy efficient than a traditional combustion engine, and if it's charged with renewable energy it is also emission free. It could make a perfect synergy with other sustainable transportation methods like trains and bike sharing.

In the Nordic countries, as in many other places, measures have been taken to encourage the use of electric cars. Still, most people are reluctant to buy one because of the risks associated with new technology and worn out batteries, combined with relatively high prices. A Norwegian electric car sharing firm may offer a solution to this.

Move About was launched in 2008, with 13 cars placed at three central locations in Oslo. The cars were charged with clean energy from the public energy company, Statkraft, that also sponsored the project. To encourage the use of trains and cars combined, a special deal on membership was given to customers of the Norwegian State Railways, and some of the cars were placed outside of the central station.

“The electric cars are safe, practical and fun to drive. By offering this service, we significantly lower the threshold for emission-free driving. Access to the bus lanes, exemption from road pricing and free parking make this a fantastic way for people to get around town,” says Michael Eimstad, general manager in Move About.

The concept has expanded rapidly, and Move About now has a total of 90 cars placed in Oslo, Gothenburg and Copenhagen. They offer a flexible solution for their 1500 members, most of whom have never tried an electric car before. The firm takes care of everything from insurance and maintenance, to wiper fluid and cleaning. Members pay a monthly fee, and can rent the car for an hour, day or weekend. All they have to do is to book a car in advance, and they will find it at the closest charging station, with the key ready in the ignition.

With the success in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, Move About is now looking for opportunities to establish carpools in main cities in the rest of the world.