Sharing Electric Cars

For France it may be possible to see an improvement if enough of the public signs up for this idea.

The other thing that makes this possible is that France relies heavily on nuclear power, which means that is will not be simply displacing the pollution to some central coal or oil power plant.

Other nations may not be able to realize the improvements and may find it harder to adopt for that reason as well as social acceptance reasons.

The other issue is that people do not generally take care of things that they do not own. So a borrowed vehicle is less likely to get the care and maintenance that it would if it was bought and paid for by a single individual with out-of-pocket cash.

Zip cars are becoming popular in big cities where some people don't want the hassle of owning a car and renting a parking space, especially among young college students. They provide the convenience of using a car occasionally to go places where public transportation doesn't go, and they rent by the hour.

The question is: Are they economical without government subsidizing the cost? Another factor is that, depending on where you live, the coal fired power plant may generate more pollution generating electricity for your electric car than a gasoline engine in the car would.

Agree whole-heartedly with "people do not generally take care of things that they do not own". EV batteries need a lot of care... I wonder if short term renters will abuse them, and if the owning company will be willing and able to provide adequate care. I would wonder how much range I'd get with my rental EV. Unlike a petroleum fueled car, I can't quickly refill it at a station that I can find easily.

The French are reinventing the taxi? What's the objective?

Desperately trying to socialise every thing. Again.

Managing hygiene would be a big issue.

How are the vehicles "homed" after a one way trip anyway?

Must agree... 150 mile range sounds very optimistic.