Car2go and Europcar are extending their partnership in Europe through a new joint venture to support the launch of car2go in Europe. The new company, car2go Europe GmbH, will be headquartered in Stuttgart and car2go GmbH will be the majority shareholder (75%). The launch of car2go in Lyon in early 2012 will be the first under the banner of this joint venture. Existing European car2go operations, including Hamburg, will be integrated into the new company, with the exception of Ulm, which will remain as a long-term test site.
Car2go has a fleet of several hundred smart fortwo cars available for hire, and offers a mode of transport on demand that is already operational in four cities: Ulm and Hamburg in Germany, Austin in Texas and Vancouver in Canada. Car2go has no stations: the vehicles are scattered around the city, and are available on demand or by reservation. Car2go members can use a vehicle for as long as they like, without having to return it to the place where they hired it. Prices are calculated per minute and include fuel, insurance, mileage, taxes and all parking charges.
