2 kinds of Car Sharing

Think of the cars in the Co-operative Auto Network (CAN) as library books on wheels.

That seems to be the easiest way to understand how 3,600 people in the Lower Mainland share 178 vehicles.

“The library thing, people get it as soon as they see the library thing,” said Tracey Axelsson, executive director of the non-profit auto sharing network. “The only difference is we have little mobile libraries everywhere. It’s not one central place.”

Car sharing gives people who don’t regularly use a car access to one. Users pay a refundable membership fee and then a fee each time they use it covering mileage, insurance, fuel, maintenance, BCAA and Air Care. The cars are kept in specific parking spots and returned after each use.

“When you’re a car sharing member you don’t have those big bills,” said Axelsson. “You don’t have to pay a mechanic again as long as you live.”

The big appeal for Kerry Ward and his family was doling out less for insurance. The Wards moved to North Vancouver from California and were shocked to discover they would be paying nearly double for car insurance. When they decided they needed a second vehicle they opted for a CAN car.

“Now I’m the proud owner of not only my car, but 178 other cars,” Ward joked.

In Fort Worth, Texas, DFW Elite Car Club has the same idea with a twist.  Their car share club is not for those of us without a vehicle, but for those of us who are looking for something special.  DFW Elite Car Club specializes in luxury and exotic automobiles such as Mercedes, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and more.  

Seems both companies agree on one major component, car sharing saves everyone on the cost and burden of ownership.  After all, as DFW Elite Car Club says, “Why buy just one car when you can drive them all?”