Hyundai Uses 100 Ioniq EVs to Launch Car-Sharing Service

author: Vineeth Joel Patel   

Electric vehicles are the way forward for the entire automotive industry. As more countries place tighter restrictions on emissions and fuel economy regulations, more and more automakers are moving towards developing and engineering hybrids, as well as all-electric powertrains for vehicles. The regulations, though, don't just affect automakers, but companies, as well. 

Multiple automakers, including Toyota, which is getting help from Blockchain Technology are entering the car-sharing segment. General Motors has Maven, which it launched in Baltimore earlier this year, BMW deployed 400 BMW i3 models in Copehnhagen, and Renault started its own car-sharing service in Madrid with 500 EVs. 

Hyundai Capitalizes On Ioniq EV

Electric cars won't just be sold to consumers, but they'll also help individuals get around, as the majority of car- and ride-sharing companies will utilize EVs to keep costs down. And now, another automaker has entered the electric-vehicle fray for a new car-sharing spinoff: Hyundai. 

The automaker, as stated in a press release, will begin its "free floating" car-sharing service with 100 Ioniq EVs in the Amsterdam area. The "free floating" concept will see customers be able to collect and return their vehicle anywhere in Amsterdam. 

"We are proud to have initiated our first pure-electric car sharing service in Europe and, in so doing, to help the city government of Amsterdam achieve its climate targets. With the launch of 15 eco cars by 2020 Hyundai Motor is further demonstrating its pioneering role in eco-mobility. By offering the greatest variety of powertrains – electric, hybrid and fuel cell – our brand is committed to future mobility and to matching our customers' lifestyles," said Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe. 

While the service is only available in Amsterdam, Hyundai states that the vehicles can be used anywhere in the Netherlands, but the Ioniq electric vehicles must be returned in Amsterdam. With the Ioniq EVs' range of 280 km (174 miles) – on the European cycle – customers will be able to travel a long distance with one of the vehicles. And when the time comes to charge the machines, the automaker claims that there are 2,200 public charging stations to use. 

Making Most Of What's Available 

Hyundai also points towards a mobile fast charger that will solely be used to help charge the fleet of 100 Ioniq EVs. The electric cars are fitted with a vehicle-to-vehicle charger in the trunk for users that, as the automaker claims, "delivers an on-demand independent charging infrastructure serving the needs of progressive urban customers."  

In order to gain access to Hyundai's car-sharing service, users will have to register for the service through IONIQcarsharing.nl or through the Ioniq car-sharing app that's available through Apple or GooglePlay. As Electrek points out, all the automaker needs is some basic information, including personal data, payment information, and a driver's license. 

Once registered, users can schedule to use a car by the minute, hour, or day. As Electrek states, users can rent an Ioniq for roughly $0.30 a minute, $14.24 an hour, or $71.21 per day. 

If Hyundai's program is a hit in Amsterdam, we don't see a reason why it wouldn't spread to other parts of the world. Car-sharing is looking like the future, as it gives individuals another option to not owning an automobile. 

via: Electrek

Vineeth Joel Patel

Joel Patel has been covering all aspects of the automotive industry for four years as an editor and freelance writer for various websites. When it comes to cars, he enjoys covering the merger between technology and cars. In his spare time, Joel likes to watch baseball, work on his car, and try new foods