Revolutionizing Transportation with Community-First EV Car Shares

ZEV: A Growing Movement in Community-First EV Car Shares

Edwin Lindo used to view new EV chargers as a sign of being priced out. But now, with two chargers in front of Estelita's Library, where he cofounded a community library and bookstore, things have changed. ZEV, an electric car-share cooperative, operates 11 vehicles around Washington State. One charger is available to all, while the other is reserved for a rentable wheelchair-accessible EV that costs $8 per hour. These vehicles are used by locals for various purposes like church visits, hospital trips, and field trips. Sometimes, Lindo himself drives the car to give rides to those carrying heavy groceries.

The EPA reports that transportation is a significant source of CO2 emissions, and passenger cars and light-duty trucks contribute a large portion. EVs could be a key driver of electrification, and car shares can help make them more accessible and reduce car ownership. Tax credits and low maintenance costs make EVs cheaper in the long run, but the upfront cost still poses a challenge.

History and Growth of Community-First EV Car Shares

From 1998 to 2009, nonprofits like San Francisco's City CarShare and PhillyCarshare gained popularity in the US. But in the 2010s, corporations took over many of these nonprofits. Since 2016, the federal government has been funding community-first EV car shares for low-income and underserved communities. In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act provided significant funds for car-sharing and EV infrastructure in underserved areas. At the state level, California has been a leader with $70 million invested through the California Air Resources Board from 2015 to 2021.

Across the US, community-first EV car shares range in scale from two to 300 vehicles. Examples include Míocar and BlueLA in California and Evie in Minnesota. These car shares charge between $4 and $16 per hour.

ZEV: A Publicly Funded Car-Sharing Co-op

ZEV is the only publicly funded car-sharing co-op, launched in 2021. Founder Greg Dronkert says a co-op can be more flexible in seeking revenue. Users can be subscribers or members. Subscribers pay a $15 registration fee, a $20 monthly access fee, and $16 per hour each time. Members pay a $500 equity investment and only $8 per hour to use a car. One membership equals one vote and the opportunity to run for the board. Currently, most enjoy introductory rates of $5 per hour or $8 per hour depending on the car. A $5 low-income rate is also available. All locations have a grant-funded dedicated charger exclusive to the car share.

To scale, ZEV partners with organizations like Estelita's and Town and Country Markets, as well as entities like the city of Port Townsend. Through their membership, a community group can buy memberships for their neighbors, and they pay $8 per hour with no other fees.

Míocar: One of the Most Sustainable Car-Share Nonprofits

Gloria Huerta founded Míocar in 2019. With a $20 membership fee and an orientation, one can get a few hours of driving credit. Huerta hasn't raised the launching rate of $4 per hour and $35 a day. Jennifer Flores, who couldn't afford a repair for her 2001 Honda Civic, found Míocar helpful. It helped her get groceries and even led to a job planting trees in her community. Míocar now has 45 cars in nine locations in California (expected to double next year) and 700 members, but only 75 use the cars monthly.

Míocar rewards social media posts and survey fills with driving credit. They work with UC Davis to analyze and include the results in grant proposals and are funded through 2028. Huerta also points to the community's attentiveness as a sign of buy-in. But a car share can't always meet a community's needs, like when electrical panels aren't up to standards or when there are installation costs.

Individual Experiences with EV Car Shares

Nighel Cobb and his wife live on Bainbridge Island. He learned about ZEV from a car parked near his house. After an accident, he considered buying an EV but was unsure about infrastructure at their next location. Now a subscriber, he uses the EV network when taking the ferry to Seattle and is considering a membership upgrade. He has recommended ZEV to a friend with an older car facing issues.

Both word-of-mouth and outreach events help in promoting EV car shares. Míocar organizes events for each new location. At Estelita's Library, the ZEV team pitched the service to passersby. As Lindo said, it takes time and community work to make these initiatives successful.