Launched in Switzerland in 1987, Carsharing.net tells us that car sharing made its first appearance in North America by way of Quebec City in 1994. While Europe still leads the pack, the practice has grown at a rapid pace on this side of the Atlantic, with an estimated 53,916 members sharing 2,045 vehicles in Canada in 2009, according to Carsharing.net. Although bike sharing is a more environmentally friendly option, we realize that some situations require the use of car, especially in a climate like ours. Car sharing offers an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to car ownership, allowing members to “rent” a vehicle for as short a period as thirty minutes. Ranging from hatchbacks to pickup trucks, vehicles are conveniently located and available twenty-four hours a day; most organizations offer a choice of monthly or pay-per-use plans with a range of daily and hourly rates. The best part: insurance, maintenance and fuel costs are included.

The Pioneer:
Communauto, Quebec City, Montreal, Sherbrooke and Gatineau, QC

The first car-sharing company in North America and the largest in Canada, Communauto launched in 1994 and now has a fleet of over 800 vehicles and a membership of over 17,000. A wide choice of plans is offered, ranging in price from $37 to $360 a year. Users pay between 11 and 34 cents per kilometre in addition to either a daily or hourly rate. There is a $500 refundable deposit to become a member, but non-members can sign up for a special plan that allows them access to vehicles at slightly higher hourly rates. Unlike most other companies, Communauto offers long distance rates and workweek rates for frequent commuters.

The Co-op:
Co-operative Auto Network (CAN), Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Tsawwassen, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Nanaimo, BC

A not-for-profit co-operative established in 1997, CAN offers three plans to meet the needs of different types of users. Members who pay a $500 refundable deposit plus a $20 registration fee get a full membership with rates of $2.50 per hour and 20-35 cents per kilometre. CAN also offers a deposit-free membership at a cost of $50 per year, with rates of $7 per hour. CAN’s subsidiary, The Company Car, provides corporate car sharing plans to companies of any size using CAN’s fleet of vehicles. Unlike privately-owned, for-profit companies, CAN members own a share of the co-operative and have democratic control over its operations.

The Giant:
Zipcar, Toronto, ON and Vancouver, BC

Founded in 2000 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Zipcar is now the world’s largest carsharing organization, with vehicles in 64 American cities, as well as in London, England, Toronto and Vancouver. With 280 vehicles in Toronto and over 100 in Vancouver, Zipcar offers an occasional driving plan with no monthly commitment, a $55 annual fee, and hourly rates from $7. Its four extra value plans range from $50 to $250 per month, with no annual fee and hourly rates starting at $5.95. All plans include 200 free kilometres per day. Unlike most car share companies, Zipcar does not require a deposit; members pay only a $25 (Vancouver) or $30 (Toronto) application fee to join. Zipcar also offers services for business, universities, and organizations. Zipcar members have access to cars in any Zipcar city worldwide and discounts from a variety of regional partners.

Other Car Share Organizations:

AutoShare, Toronto, ON

Calgary Alternative Transportation Co-op (CATCO), Calgary, AB

CarShareHFX, Halifax, NS (Learn more about CarShareHFX here)

Carsharing Co-operative of Edmonton, Edmonton, AB

Grand River CarShare, Kitchener-Waterloo, ON

Greater Forest Lawn Community Carsharing, Calgary, AB

Guelph Community Car Co-op, Guelph, ON

Hamilton CarShare, Hamilton, ON

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Kingston, ON

Nelson CarShare Co-op, Nelson, Revelstoke, Kaslo, Golden, Kimberly, and Fernie, BC

Regina Carshare Co-operative, Regina, SK

Victoria Car Share Co-op, Victoria, BC

Vrtucar, Ottawa, ON

Car share organizations in Winnipeg, MB and London, ON are reportedly in the planning stages.

Best Practices
• Implementing car sharing in conjunction with other programs that improve transportation choices, as Communauto and VRTUCAR have done. Both organizations provide car sharing/transit “duo” plans that provide public transit pass holders with special car share rates.
• Offering free street parking for members driving car share vehicles. Thanks to an agreement with the City of Vancouver, Co-operative Auto Network vehicles can park in any parking zone in the city. Halifax’s Waterfront Development Corporation recently announced that it will offer free parking on the waterfront for all CarShareHFX vehicles.
• Developing partnerships with like-minded organizations. Many car share organizations offers their members discounts with traditional rental companies, and the Co-operative Auto Network offers discounted YWCA and City of Vancouver recreation passes. Toronto’s AutoShare provides free memberships to City of Toronto, Ontario and Federal government departments, and discounted memberships to government employees, CBC staff, and alumni of certain institutions. It also has discount agreements with apartment, co-op and condo buildings in Toronto and has placed its cars onsite at some buildings. Multi-unit residential buildings with AutoShare onsite can qualify for up to 2 LEED credits and/or reduced parking requirements from the City of Toronto.
• Offering carbon offsets to members. A first in Canada, Autoshare has partnered with Zerofootprint to allow its users to offset their carbon emissions for about 0.5 cents per kilometre.
• Establishing reciprocal agreements with other carshare organizations so members can use vehicles in other cities. VRTUCAR and Communauto have partnered, allowing members access to each other’s fleets. The Co-operative Auto Network and the Victoria Car Share Co-op have done the same. CarShareHFX is working to offer its users roaming memberships that can be used in any Canadian city.
• Offering a variety of fuel efficient vehicle choices, including hybrid and electric vehicles. Most organizations are moving in this direction, with AutoShare’s fleet consisting of almost 10% hybrids, including Toronto’s first plug-in vehicle.
• Offering corporate car share options, which allow companies to provide car share vehicles to their employees during business hours. Loyalty One/Air Miles’ Toronto office has recently partnered with AutoShare to offer free car sharing for its employees. Most car share organizations now offer corporate plans.