Service Starts Today for North America's First All-Electric Carsharing Network by car2go

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- car2go N.A., LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, and the City of San Diego today officially launched North America's first all-electric carsharing network, making emissions-free driving a widely available and affordable transportation option for all of San Diego.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111118/NY09670 )

A New Way to Get Around
The car2go smart fortwo electric drive carsharing network provides San Diego drivers with unmatched flexibility and convenience in urban mobility. Starting today, and for the first time in the history of North America, an entire city will have on-demand access to a large network of electric drive cars.

"car2go has set a new milestone in terms of flexible and tailor-made individual mobility. As the innovation leader in the automotive industry, we strive to serve our worldwide customers not only with leading-edge technology but also with groundbreaking new concepts," said Thomas Weber, the Daimler Board of Management member responsible for research and development. "Therefore, we accelerate the rollout of this cutting-edge mobility concept. Starting Nov. 18, 2011, San Diego will be part of the innovative worldwide car2go network with a fleet of emission-free smart fortwo electric drive."

car2go began deploying 300 smart fortwo electric drive vehicles Friday in San Diego, which are now in service and available for use. 

"car2go's investment here is another major step toward making San Diego the nation's electric-vehicle capital," said Mayor Jerry Sanders. "This carsharing program gives San Diegans a clean transportation option and complements walkable lifestyles in our city's urban communities."

Revolutionizing the Carsharing Industry
Unlike traditional carsharing programs, car2go meets the daily needs of members by providing a free-floating network of vehicles that is truly available on-demand for point-to-point trips. Members can use car2go with or without a reservation, for as long as they would like, without having to commit to a return time or location.

"We have designed car2go to be convenient and flexible, to meet the demands of everyday life, and to fit the lifestyle of our members," said Nicholas Cole, president and CEO of car2go N.A., LLC. "It is as easy as having access to your own vehicle, and in some cases, like in densely populated downtown areas such as San Diego, it can actually be easier. car2go fills the gap between where you are and where you want to be."

San Diegans will now have access to the car2go network of electric vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. When they're finished using the vehicle, members can park in a car2go-designated spot, at city non-restricted meters or on-street in residential neighborhoods within the car2go operating area. Parking, recharging, insurance and maintenance are included. Members pay by the minute, and only for the time they use the vehicle, with discounted rates for hourly and daily use.

"San Diego is a progressive city focused on a sustainable future. Starting today, San Diegans who have dreamed of owning an electric vehicle but could not, now can enjoy the benefits of electric vehicles and become part of an emissions-free mobility revolution," said Cole. "car2go is revolutionizing the carsharing industry and the future of urban mobility. The launch of car2go in San Diego will serve as a model for other cities around the world that are looking for ways to reduce emissions, alleviate congestion, and create a more sustainable environment for their residents."

car2go San Diego Membership
San Diego licensed drivers can register to become car2go members at sandiego.car2go.com or at the car2go San Diego office located at 633 9th Avenue in San Diego's East Village neighborhood. Currently, the membership fee of $35 is waived, and each new member will receive 30 free minutes of driving time.

To stay informed of the latest news and events, members and prospective members can visit http://sandiego.car2go.com , join the car2go San Diego Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/car2go.SanDiego or follow @car2go_SanDiego on Twitter.

car2go — A Different Way to Carshare
A wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler North America Corporation, car2go N.A., LLC, offers an innovative mobility solution redefining individual transportation in rapidly growing urban areas by offering a fleet of several hundred environment-friendly smart fortwo vehicles for rent. It provides a mode of "on-demand" transportation, which complements existing public transportation alternatives by bridging the gaps commonly associated with the "first and last mile" of a public transit commute.

car2go is currently operational in four cities: Austin, Texas; Vancouver, British Columbia; Hamburg, Germany; and Ulm, Germany. In November 2011, car2go will launch the world's largest all-electric vehicle carsharing fleet in the cities of San Diego, California, and Amsterdam, Netherlands, with the deployment of 300 car2go smart fortwo electric drive vehicles in each city.

Unlike traditional carsharing programs or car rental companies, car2go is not station-based. car2go vehicles are located throughout the city and can be accessed on-demand or reserved in advance. The members may use the vehicle for as long as they like, without committing to a specific return time or return location. Charges are based on minutes used and include recharging, insurance, parking and maintenance.

The innovation and environmental sustainability of car2go has earned international acclaim: In September 2010, car2go was recognized by the Austin Chamber of Commerce with the "2010 Greater Austin Business Award" for its positive impact on traffic in the city. The same month, car2go received the "Clean Tech Media Award" in the category of "Mobility" in Berlin. In May 2010, car2go was honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its prestigious "2010 EPA Clean Air Excellence Award." Further information on car2go is available at www.car2go.com and www.media.daimler.com/ms/car2go/e.

SOURCE car2go N.A., LLC