Car-Sharing Vehicle Reduction ...
Flexcar reduces the number of vehicles in use and the total level of automobile emissions. With the high cost of energy, Flexcar members have access to energy-efficient vehicles through innovative car-sharing. ...
... "Flexcar's innovative program provides its members with on-demand access to a fleet of low emission vehicles, including gas/electric hybrids, pickup trucks, AWDs and minivans conveniently located throughout seven major metro areas, including Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Members reserve vehicles via the Internet or touchtone phone for use by the hour. A simple hourly fee includes gas, insurance, unlimited miles, maintenance, parking and 24-7 emergency service. The rise in gas prices highlights the costs associated with car ownership. People who own cars typically don't factor in the costs of maintenance, insurance and parking when they determine the cost of their car. When gas prices get too high, it is an impetus for them to more closely factor their costs.
The increase in Flexcar use is also fueled in part by the increasing number of commuters turning to public transit instead of their car. With cars located in garages and street lots at and nearby many office towers, Flexcar members now have a car at the office without driving to the office. Riding transit to save money and time,
commuters can still use Flexcar for business meetings or personal errands during the workday. Flexcar allows people to save money not only on fuel but also parking. Since launching the US carsharing industry in 1998, Flexcar has won numerous awards and commendations for reducing congestion, air pollution and energy use, and increasing use of public transit while contributing to sustainable communities. Research from Flexcar as well as independent entities has clearly shown that carsharing programs take cars off the road, reduce annual miles traveled and increase the use of public transit. These studies indicate that roughly 60 percent of members have either sold or decided not to purchase a vehicle because of the program, thus removing thousands of vehicles and thousands of tons of emissions from circulation. " ...