All change in Parisian car-sharing services

4 July 2018

France’s biggest car manufacturers have launched new sharing schemes in Paris as the city’s main service, Autolib, has shut down.

Groupe PSA is finalising the launch of a car-sharing service providing mobility to Parisians. The objective is to launch this service operated under the Free2Move brand, by the last quarter of 2018. The fleet will initially include 500 Peugeot and Citroën electric vehicles.

The Free2Move mobility brand launched in 2016, counts today more than one million customers worldwide with a fleet of 65,000 vehicles deployed in more than ten countries.

With its experience in car-sharing services deployed in different cities, including the emov service in Madrid with more than 180,000 users, Groupe PSA aims to become the main player for sustainable mobility. 

Brigitte Courtehoux, Member of the Executive Committee of Groupe PSA and Director of Mobility and Connectivity Services, states: ′After the launch of Free2Move App, we are providing Parisians with our know-how in urban mobility. It means a sustainable and high quality of electric car-sharing service. This is possible thanks to the good collaboration we have established with the Paris City Hall.’

Renault scheme

Meanwhile, the City of Paris and Renault have announced their intention to share their expertise and skills to develop electric mobility for Parisians, Ile-de-France residents and visitors.

The approach taken in a partnership agreement with a shared vision of future mobility will benefit areas such as health, climate change, accessibility and economic attractiveness in the area while also promoting easier travel  

This will result in short, medium and long-term actions in favour of the development of connected and autonomous electric vehicles.

As a first step, Renault has decided to gradually roll out a commercial offer of electric mobility for Parisians, Ile-de-France residents and visitors, starting in September 2018, including electric vehicle sharing, through 24/7 accessibility without stations, as well as a car-share loop for longer journeys.

“As the European leader in electric vehicles, Groupe Renault has also been a player in mobility services for several years, notably through Renault Mobility and the Zity car-sharing system in Madrid. Today, we are delighted to be part of the City of Paris’ desire to develop electric mobility for all, which is safe and respectful of the environment. This shared vision launches an ambitious model that can inspire many cities in France and around the world,” said Thierry Bolloré, Executive Vice President of Groupe Renault.

Autolib closure

However, Paris electric vehicle car-share scheme Autolib is reported to be closing in the city following extensive losses.

The operator of the scheme, Bollore, predicted a debt of €300 million over the next five years and had asked that taxpayers pick up the cost. However, the service has failed to spark the interest of Parisians, with complaints about poorly maintained vehicles highlighting the need for extensive cash injections.

Bollore had suggested that local governments could help to cover the projected €46 million annual deficits until 2023 when its contract to provide services was initially due to expire. However, officials pushed back, saying they had received inquiries from other automakers who could provide the service without subsidies.