150 smart fortwo vehicles available for carsharing beginning July 21
Launch events feature free registration, free test drives, free drive minutes, and free food
CALGARY — car2go Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, will officially launch a new way of carsharing in Calgary, Alberta on Saturday, July 21, making a network of 150 of low-emission smart fortwo vehicles widely available and affordable for those who live in, work in and visit Calgary.
"We are in a time that demands new mobility solutions in rapidly growing urban areas,” said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of car2go Canada. "Calgary is one of the fastest growing cities in North America, and we are thrilled to be a part of the growth of this city and to bring more accessible, more flexible transportation solutions to the people who live in, work in and visit the City of Calgary.”
The car2go carsharing model, when used alongside existing public transportation, serves to substantially reduce the C02 emissions and traffic congestion that are common in densely populated cities. Long term, car2go will play an important role in further enhancing Calgary’s status as an environmentally-friendly, livable city.
“Calgary is pleased to welcome this new carsharing program,” said Don Mulligan, the City of Calgary’s Director of Transportation Planning. “Carsharing provides citizens with another convenient travel option to get around the city and aligns well with the City’s transportation plan to increase mobility for Calgarians.”
“We are proud to partner with car2go to provide a convenient parking and mobility choice for Calgarians that integrates our ParkPlus technology and their GPS tracking system,” said Troy McLeod, General Manager of the Calgary Parking Authority.
Open for Business
Beginning Saturday, July 21, there will be 150 car2go edition smart fortwo vehicles available for people to use and share collaboratively. Those who register to become car2go members will receive a membership card that will allow them to gain access to and drive in any of the available car2go vehicles in Calgary, whenever they need it, for as long as they need it, without having to commit to a return time or location.
Registration is open online at Calgary.car2go.com. For a limited time, all new members who use the promotion code ONWARD will receive 30 free minutes of driving time, and currently the one-time $35 membership fee is being waived.
A New Way to Carshare
car2go provides an entirely new way of carsharing that gives members 24/7 access to a free-floating network of smart fortwo vehicles. It differs from traditional carsharing or car rental companies, particularly in these three areas:
BY THE MINUTE: Members pay only for the time they use the car, by the minute, with discounted rates for hourly and daily use. There is no minimum amount of time that a car can be used. Whether a member needs a car for 10 minutes or an entire day, members simply get in and drive for as long as they want, without having to commit to a specific return time or location. Parking, fuel, maintenance and insurance are included at no additional cost, and there are no annual or monthly fees.
ON DEMAND: Members can use the first available car2go they find, via a smartphone app, via the car2go vehicle finder at car2go.com, by calling the customer call center, or by simply locating an available car2go. Reservations are not required because with car2go, members have unrestricted and unlimited access to car2go vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
FREE-FLOATING: Members can pick up and drop off a car2go anywhere within the car2go Home Area, which is bordered by 16th Avenue in the North, Deerfoot Trail and Blackfoot Trail in the East, Glenmore Trail in the South, Sarcee Trail in the SW, and Shaganappi Trail in the NW. They can simply drive the car for as long as they need it, park the car in one of the designated parking areas, and end the rental by swiping the card on the windshield reader. Instantly the car becomes available for the next member to use.
Launch Events
car2go is celebrating the launch of its ground-breaking carsharing program in Calgary this weekend. The car2go premier launch event at Holy Grill restaurant will take place Saturday, July 21, and is open to the public, free of charge.
Visitors will receive free lunch, learn how car2go works, receive free registration and 30 free minutes of driving time, and have the opportunity to win additional prizes, while supplies last.
This weekend, car2go will be at the following locations:
car2go Launch Event at Holy Grill
July 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
827 10 Avenue Southwest
Sun and Salsa Festival
July 22, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kensington Village
