CarShare Vermont Adds First EV

For the past ten years, CarShare Vermont has been on a mission to help more Vermonters get around with fewer cars. Based out of Burlington, Vermont, they provide a convenient, reliable, and affordable alternative to car ownership for their 1000+ members, helping them save money and reduce their carbon footprint.

By sharing cars, 86% of the households they serve go completely car-free or shed at least one vehicle after joining, and significantly reduce how much they drive each year. In fact, for every one CarShare Vermont vehicle put into service, 15 privately-owned cars are removed. Now with 17 self-accessible neighborhood-based vehicle locations throughout Burlington, they’ve added their first 100% fully electric vehicle to the fleet this fall.

Sparky, a brand new 2019 Nissan Leaf, is parked at a dedicated level two FLO charging station at the corner of Main Street and Saint Paul Street. With an ample 150 mile range, versatile hatchback design, and a user-friendly interface, the Nissan Leaf is a great fit for the diverse driving needs of their membership. Sparky can be reserved for as little as 30 minutes or for multiple-days using CarShare Vermont’s free mobile app, and can be driven anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. When members have a reservation, they simply walk up to the vehicle, unlock the car using their own electronic key fob, get in, and go. The vehicle then gets parked back at the same spot when they’re done. Electricity, insurance, 24/7 roadside assistance, and more are all included in CarShare Vermont’s hourly or daily driving rates.  

By introducing 100% electric zero-emission carsharing to Burlington CarShare Vermont is helping the city make even bigger strides toward meeting their ambitious Net Zero Energy and Climate Change goals while also providing local residents, including those who may not want to buy an EV themselves or who can not afford to buy a car of any kind, the same opportunity to enjoy the environmental benefits of EV technology. And, since this shared EV is also powered by 100% renewably-sourced energy, the environmental benefits are even further amplified.

If you’re curious about EVs and about sharing cars, CarShare Vermont is offering a special promotion through the end of the year. Use the promo code ELECTRIC when you apply and they’ll waive your $30 application fee plus you’ll get 2 months of membership for free and $30 in driving credits to give EV carsharing a try. Get all the details at carsharevt.org/electric or call (802) 861-2340.