Car Sharing in Vancouver

Vancouver is quite easy to navigate by public transit, via bicycle and on foot, but sometimes driving is the best option – for example, if you’re in a hurry or need to move heavy items. If you don’t have a car of your own, car sharing is an excellent alternative. Depending on how frequently and how far you need to drive, making use of a car sharing program can often be far more cost effective than owning a vehicle.

In Vancouver, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to car sharing programs, which vary in terms of what they offer and how they work. Here are a few options to consider:

1. car2go. Ideal for quick trips from point A to point B, car2go lets you hop in a car and get to where you’re going without the need to make a booking in advance. You can end your trip anywhere within car2go’s Vancouver and North Vancouver “Home Area,” or at one of the other permitted parking locations, such as Grouse Mountain or Vancouver International Airport. You pay only for the time that you use the car, which is charged at a per minute rate and capped with maximum per hour and per day charges.

2. Modo. Modo is a member-owned co-op rather than a for-profit business. Joining Modo as a member-owner involves paying a $500 refundable deposit, which lets you use the co-op’s vehicles at super low hourly rates. There’s also a monthly membership option with no deposit and higher hourly rates. Although each Modo car has a home location and needs to be returned to where you picked it up, the good news is that there are hundreds of vehicles of different types available throughout Metro Vancouver.

3. Evo. If you enjoy exploring the outdoors, Evo is a good choice. All Evo cars are Toyota Prius Hybrids and come equipped with a roof rack that can carry two bicycles and two sets of skis. You can use Evo cars for short trips or longer excursions as there are per minute, hourly and daily rate options. Don’t worry about returning your Evo car to where you picked it up – you can park the car and end your trip anywhere, as long as it’s within Evo’s Vancouver “Home Zone.”

4. Zipcar. Zipcar offers plenty of versatility. Sign up for an annual or monthly plan and book a car for as little as one hour or as long as seven days. Zipcar offers various types of vehicles – whether you need a small car for a quick errand or a large van to move a couch, the choice is yours. On the down side, you always need to return your Zipcar to the home location where you picked it up, so you can’t use it for one-way trips.

With car sharing, you can enjoy the benefits of driving when you need to without the hassles and high costs that come with car ownership. And with several great options to choose from in Vancouver, hitting the road with a car sharing program just makes sense!