Comparing car sharing companies in the Lower Mainland

Car sharing service Car2Go hit a major milestone on Monday after Vancouver became the first city in the world to have more than 100,000 members.

Not only are they boasting that they have the most members but also have the largest fleet amongst the other car share companies in the region. Car2Go has about 1,250 Smart cars (and some Mercedes B-Class MPVs) in their fleet while Evo, Modo and Zipcar have 1,000 cars between them.

Car2Go, which is owned by Daimler North American Corporation, is definitely the largest car sharing company in the Lower Mainland, but its boundaries for the program are on the small side.

How do the other car sharing companies stack up and what do they offer?

ZIPCAR

• The company: a subsidiary of Avis Budget Group
• Cost: can rent by the hour or day; membership starts at $7/month
• Territory covered: covers a large area including Vancouver, North Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, and New Westminster
• Options for vehicles: two styles of Mini Cooper, Volkswagon Beetle or a Toyota Corolla
• Size of fleet: has the fewest cars out of the four car sharing companies
• Pet-friendly: allows pets in carriers

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MODO

• The company: member-owned co-op
• Cost: $10 registration fee with a $5 monthly fee
• Territory covered: has the largest territory spanning North Vancouver, UBC, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, Richmond, Coquitlam, Port Moody, Horseshoe Bay and Victoria
• Options for vehicles: hatchbacks, sporty convertibles, SUVs, trucks, hybrids, electrics, minivans (all at the same rate) and cargo vans. Modo also offers accessories like bike racks, roof racks, snow tires, Bluetooth, backup cameras, stow-n-go seating; which are all included in their rates
• Size of fleet: while large in territory, Modo has one-third the number of cars that Car2Go has in their fleet
• Pet-friendly: allows pets in carriers

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EVO

• The company: run by the B.C. Automobile Association
• Cost: $35 registration fee (BCAA members have it waived); annual car share operator fee $2 (donated to charity)
• Territory covered: only available in some areas of Vancouver
• Options for vehicles: Toyota Prius Hybrid; can be equipped with two bike racks and ski racks and has seating for five
• Size of fleet: expanded their fleet to 500 cars
• Pet-friendly: no dogs

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CAR2GO

• The company: owned by Daimler North American Corporation
• Cost: one-time $35 registration fee and annual car $2 fee $2
• Territory covered: available in Vancouver, some parts of North Vancouver and has drop-off and pick-up stations at Kwantlen campuses, Vancouver International Airport and the BC Ferries terminal at Horseshoe Bay
• Options for vehicles: smart cars and some Mercedez Benz wagons
• Size of fleet: about 1,250
• Pet-friendly: allows pets in carriers

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