Paris' electric car-sharing program
A parking station for the Autolib' electric car-share scheme is seen on a street in Paris. Paris, in its latest bid to be an innovator of the City of Tomorrow, is launching an electric car-sharing program to cut air and noise pollution on the city's medieval cobblestone streets and beyond. (Dec. 2, 2011) Credit: AP
Paris is launching an electric car-sharing program to cut air and noise pollution on the city's medieval cobblestone streets and beyond.
Autolib', a project built on the success of the city's bike-rental scheme, debuted this week, and officials want the self-service e-cars to be as much a part of Paris life as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame Cathedral. Prospective users will need a valid ID, driver's license and credit card before signing up online or by a videoconference with a customer service representative at one of 40 special glassed-in shelters in Paris and dozens of suburban French towns also taking part.
Standard subscriptions cost about $13.50 a day or $20 a week. Beyond that, theHourly fees run from about $5.50 to $12 -- and users' cards can be charged in case of damage to the vehicles.
A valid license from a visitor's home country can be used to participate in the program. Details at autolib.eu.
