The electrification of carsharing is no longer just a forward-thinking experiment—it’s a key part of the future of urban mobility. The Carsharing Association (CSA) recently hosted a webinar addressing this critical shift, featuring expert insights from:
- Pam Cooley – Executive Director, Carsharing Association
- Venkatesh Gopal – CEO & Shared Mobility Consultant, movmi
- Peter Krahenbuhl – Executive Director, Colorado CarShare
Together, they explored why electrification matters, successful case studies, and key policy recommendations for cities looking to integrate EV carsharing into their transportation ecosystem.
Carsharing Association Webinar
How to Electrify Carsharing in your City
Why Electrify Carsharing
Carsharing already plays a significant role in reducing private car ownership, traffic congestion, and greenhouse gas emissions. Electrifying these shared fleets builds on that impact.
“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.” – Venkatesh Gopal
Key Benefits of EV Carsharing
- Lower emissions: EVs eliminate tailpipe pollution, aligning with city climate goals.
- Higher vehicle utilization: In Minnesota’s HOURCAR program, electric vehicles saw greater usage than gas-powered counterparts.
- Potential cost savings: Though upfront costs are higher, public funding and operational efficiencies can make EV fleets financially viable.
However, infrastructure gaps, range anxiety, and funding challenges still pose significant hurdles.
Case Studies: Electrification in Action
The webinar highlighted key insights from movmi’s EV Carshare Policy Playbook, which contains 17 real-world case studies showcasing how EV carsharing is being implemented across different cities and regions. During the discussion, Venkatesh Gopal expanded on a few of these case studies, providing deeper insights into policy strategies, operational challenges, and lessons learned from successful EV carsharing programs.
Minnesota’s HOURCAR: Public Funding Success
HOURCAR, a nonprofit carshare organization based in Minnesota, has long been a leader in sustainable transportation solutions. Its transition to electric vehicles (EVs) was driven by strong public demand and an increasing focus on reducing carbon emissions. However, achieving this transformation was only possible through a combination of federal and state-level funding support.
According to Venkatesh Gopal, securing financial backing was essential, “Without public funding programs, scaling an electric fleet would be nearly impossible. The high upfront costs would be a barrier for most carsharing operators.”
Key Elements of Success:
- Federal & State Grants: HOURCAR leveraged various transportation electrification programs to offset the costs of acquiring EVs and developing infrastructure.
- Community Buy-In: Local support and membership engagement helped build momentum for the transition.
- Infrastructure Expansion: With funding, HOURCAR was able to expand EV charging stations in key service areas, increasing fleet accessibility.
The result? Increased utilization and stronger feasibility for future EV carsharing expansions.
GreenMobility: Parking Incentives in Europe
In Copenhagen, Oslo, and Düsseldorf, GreenMobility operates an all-electric, free-floating carshare service, providing a seamless EV alternative to private car ownership. A major factor behind GreenMobility’s success has been progressive city policies—specifically, free parking incentives for shared EVs.
“When cities offer parking incentives, operators can reinvest savings into fleet expansion and better service offerings.” – Venkatesh Gopal
Why Parking Incentives Matter:
- Lower Operational Costs: Parking fees are a significant expense for carsharing operators. Eliminating or reducing these fees for EV carshare fleets improves profitability.
- Encouraging EV Adoption: By prioritizing EV carshare for free parking, cities incentivize both operators and users to transition to cleaner transportation.
- Strategic Urban Planning: Free-floating EV carsharing complements bike lanes, public transit, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
In Helsinki, GreenMobility also benefits from substantial parking discounts—not entirely free, but still financially viable for operators. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Canada, a similar model exists where EV carshare operators receive parking incentives, encouraging more fleets to go electric.
Blink Mobility & BlueLA: EV Infrastructure Collaboration
Los Angeles is a city known for both transportation challenges and innovation. With its Clean Mobility Equity Programs, the city has made strides in ensuring that EV carsharing serves not just affluent neighborhoods, but also historically underserved communities.
Blink Mobility, which acquired BlueLA, successfully deployed EV carsharing stations in low-income communities, ensuring that sustainable transportation options reach those who need them most.
“Equity-focused funding ensures that underserved communities aren’t left out of the EV revolution.” – Pam Cooley
Key Takeaways:
- Public-Private Partnerships: The program received city support and aligned with state clean energy goals.
- Targeting Disadvantaged Communities: EV carshare stations were placed in areas with limited public transit and high transportation costs.
- Infrastructure Investment: Charging stations were built in locations where both shared EVs and privately owned EVs could benefit.
However, BlueLA’s model also revealed challenges:
- Program Sustainability: Long-term funding remains an issue—ensuring consistent revenue and utilization is key to success.
- Vehicle Availability & Maintenance: Operators must actively monitor fleet health to maintain service quality in high-need areas.
Despite these hurdles, Los Angeles has proven that with the right funding, policies, and infrastructure investment, EV carsharing can work in all communities—not just affluent ones.
Insights from Colorado CarShare: Scaling EV Carsharing Successfully
Colorado CarShare has been a leader in nonprofit EV carsharing, but, as Peter Krahenbuhl explained, transitioning to EVs required strategic funding, infrastructure partnerships, and community outreach.
Key Milestones in Colorado CarShare’s EV Adoption:
- 2012-2013: Introduced first Nissan Leaf EV in collaboration with the City of Boulder.
- 2017: Conducted a feasibility study to map out EV carsharing expansion.
- 2019-2020: Partnered with City & County of Denver to deploy street-side EV carsharing in affordable housing communities.
- 2023-2024: Secured utility partnerships with Xcel Energy and applied for Colorado Energy Office’s Camp Grant to expand EV carsharing locations.
“Carsharing is already a tough business. Adding EVs makes it even more complex—but with the right funding, infrastructure, and partnerships, it’s possible to scale EV carsharing sustainably.” – Peter Krahenbuhl
Parking & Policy Support
“Parking is the linchpin. Without dedicated, EV-ready parking, carshare operators struggle to deploy electric fleets efficiently.” – Peter Krahenbuhl
City recommendations:
- Provide dedicated parking spaces with charging stations for carshare fleets.
- Offer free or discounted parking permits for shared EVs.
- Streamline permitting processes to speed up the deployment of EV infrastructure.
Funding & Grants for Electrification
Public funding remains critical for carsharing operators looking to transition to electric fleets. “This funding initiative not only supports deployment but ensures sites are chosen based on sustainability and feasibility, not just equity requirements.” – Venkatesh Gopal
Colorado CarShare, in collaboration with movmi and the Colorado Energy Office’s Camp Grant, successfully secured funding to expand EV carsharing to underserved communities. This initiative highlights the importance of targeted funding that balances equity with long-term operational sustainability
Additional Contributions from Webinar Attendees
The Q&A session featured valuable insights from industry professionals, highlighting challenges and opportunities from different regions.
EV Range & Charging Challenges in Rural Carsharing
📌 Jeffrey Winter (Transportation Carshare Coordinator at City of Aspen Transportation Department, CO)
Winter shared that in rural areas, limited charging options require EV carshare fleets to restrict travel distances to prevent users from stranding vehicles.
“We had to set a custom driving radius for our EVs so that they could return to base with enough charge for the next user.”
Navigating Municipal Agreements for EVSE Deployment
📌 Gloria Huerta (COO, Míocar, California)
Securing municipal agreements for EV infrastructure is time-consuming and inconsistent, Huerta explained.
“In some cities, it took us over three years to finalize agreements for charger installation—it’s a slow process that needs streamlining.”
Owning vs. Leasing Charging Infrastructure
📌 Christian Brandt (Regional Fleet Manager, Modo Carshare, Canada)
Brandt highlighted the pros and cons of owning vs. leasing EV charging stations.
“While ownership provides control and reliability, leasing can be beneficial in locations where infrastructure investment is high-risk.”
The Role of Public-Private Partnerships in EV Infrastructure
📌 Marco Viviani (Vice President, Communauto, Montreal)
Viviani explained how public-private partnerships can help cities balance EV charging demands from private and shared mobility users.
“Cities want to support carsharing, but they also need to meet the growing demand for private EV ownership. Partnerships help allocate infrastructure strategically.”