Green Consumer Guide: Carsharing

Launched in Switzerland in 1987, 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. 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.

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