Insights from the Carsharing Association Webinar
The electrification of carsharing is a crucial step toward sustainable urban mobility. The Carsharing Association (CSA) webinar, featuring insights from industry leaders, explored the benefits, challenges, and policy recommendations for integrating electric vehicles (EVs) into shared mobility services.
Watch the full webinar to hear an in-depth discussion with industry experts Venkatesh Gopal, CEO of movmi, and Peter Krahenbuhl, CEO of Colorado CarShare, moderated by Pam Cooley, Executive Director of the Carsharing Association (CSA).
3 Key Webinar Takeaways
1. The Case for EV Carsharing
Electrifying carsharing builds on its existing benefits, reducing emissions, traffic congestion, and reliance on private vehicles. As Venkatesh Gopal noted, “Each shared EV benefits an entire community rather than just an individual. It’s not just a 1-to-1 vehicle replacement—it’s a systemic change in mobility.”
Key Benefits of EV Carsharing:
Lower emissions: EVs eliminate tailpipe pollution, supporting climate goals.
Higher utilization: Minnesota’s HOURCAR program found that EVs had greater usage than gas-powered counterparts.
Cost savings: While upfront costs are high, public funding and operational efficiencies improve financial viability.
However, infrastructure gaps, range anxiety, and funding challenges remain hurdles to widespread adoption.
2. Lessons from Successful EV Carsharing Programs
Real-world examples from movmi’s EV Carshare Policy Playbook demonstrated how cities are successfully deploying EV carsharing.
Minnesota’s HOURCAR: Public Funding as a Catalyst
Secured grants from federal and state programs to offset costs.
Community engagement helped build support for electrification.
Expanded charging infrastructure, increasing accessibility and utilization.
“Without public funding, scaling an electric fleet would be nearly impossible.” – Venkatesh Gopal
GreenMobility: Parking Incentives in Europe
Cities like Copenhagen, Oslo, and Düsseldorf provide free or discounted parking for shared EVs.
“When cities offer parking incentives, operators can reinvest savings into fleet expansion,” explained Gopal.
Encourages EV adoption, reduces costs, and integrates seamlessly with urban mobility.
Blink Mobility & BlueLA: Equity-Focused EV Carsharing in Los Angeles
Public-private partnerships funded stations in underserved areas.
Targeted investment ensured equitable access to EVs.
Challenges included long-term program sustainability and fleet maintenance.
“Equity-focused funding ensures that underserved communities aren’t left out of the EV revolution.” – Pam Cooley
3. Scaling EV Carsharing: Key Strategies for Cities
Colorado CarShare’s Peter Krahenbuhl outlined key lessons from transitioning to an EV fleet:
Key Milestones in Adoption:
2012-2013: First EVs introduced with city support.
2019-2020: Street-side EV carsharing expanded in affordable housing areas.
2023-2024: Utility partnerships secured for further expansion.
Policy & Infrastructure Priorities:
Dedicated EV parking spaces are essential for operational efficiency.
Public funding and grants remain critical for sustainability.
Municipal partnerships can streamline infrastructure deployment.
“Parking is the linchpin. Without dedicated, EV-ready parking, carshare operators struggle to deploy electric fleets efficiently.” – Peter Krahenbuhl
Final Thoughts: Making EV Carsharing a City Priority
Electrifying carsharing is no longer experimental—it’s a necessity for sustainable mobility. Success depends on strong municipal policies, utility partnerships, and funding strategies.
Pam Cooley concluded, “If carsharing grows, all shared mobility grows. The CSA is here to support cities and operators in navigating this transition.”
What Next?
Download movmi’s ‘Carshare Electrification Policy Playbook’ here.
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