Hyundai launches electric car sharing service -starting with 100 Ioniq EVs in Amsterdam

Electric cars have been popular with car sharing services due to their low cost of operation. Some automakers have been building large fleets, like BMW deploying 400 BMW i3s in Copenhagen in 2015 and earlier this year, Renault started deploying a fleet of 500 electric cars for a new car-sharing service in Madrid.

Now that Hyundai has the Ioniq Electric, the Korean automaker announced that it is also launching a car sharing service using electric vehicles. 

They are starting with 100 Ioniq EVs in Amsterdam.

Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe, made the announcement today:

“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.”

While the service is based in Amsterdam, Hyundai says that customers will be able to drive the cars all over the Netherlands.

People interested in the service can register in just a few minutes IONIQcarsharing.nl and download their iOS or Android apps.

Hyundai just needs some personal data, payment information and a scanned driver’s license in order for drivers to access to the fleet, which they can see through the app and reserve any available vehicle.

Drivers can pay by the minute, hour, or day, depending on their usage:

Electrek’s Take

Car sharing fleets have been a very effective way to introduce people to electric car driving. For those who don’t want to commit to buying an EV, or any car for that matter, it’s a great low-cost way to familiarize yourself with the technology.

And the Ioniq Electric might be a great car for it. We at Electrek have been fairly impressed with Hyundai’s first entry in the all-electric space.

For more information, you can read Jamie’s Hyundai IONIQ Electric extended test and Seth’s first impression through a shorter experience with the car.