BMW DriveNow car-share : 38% of users sell their private cars

Electric cars may be the future, but their penetration levels in the automotive industry remain relatively weak. In order to boost the popularity of its electric car range, BMW introduced the DriveNow car sharing program. The service enables users to drive all-electric BMW vehicles for a few minutes, an hour, a day or more, rather than having to buy a car of their own. Now, around 38% of the DriveNow clients have sold their privately owned vehicles, according to a report by Reuters.

DriveNow's survey of its customers revealed that only 20% of the car-sharing scheme's clients are determined to keep their private vehicles. BMW has launched DriveNow in Berlin, Duesseldorf, Hamburg, Munich, Vienna, San Francisco and parts of London with over 4.5 lakh users. In markets like the UK, the program extends to BMW's Mini brand as well.

How does it work?

In regions like San Francisco, interested users have to pay a one-time membership fee of $39 (INR. 2,500 approx). Charges are $12 (INR. 765 approx.) for the first 30 minutes, and 32 cents for each additional minute. Alternatively, the charge for 24-hours is $90 (INR 5,740 approx.). Once approved, members receive their DriveNow customer card by mail. The ID is a key, it contains an RFID sticker that unlocks any available DriveNow BMW.

The service has an app that can be used to locate the nearest available DriveNow vehicle or station. The DriveNow ID unlocks any vehicle displaying green on the card reader. Users can then follow instructions on the in-car screen, enter their PIN and get going. When done, the user can park in a DriveNow designated “green zone" (certain markets allow parking in any public parking space), end their booking and hold their DriveNow ID against the card reader on the windshield and wait for the light to turn green, ending their reservation.

The service enables users to get the benefits of a car, while avoiding the costs of buying one, maintaining it, insurance etc.

BMW DriveNow USA
BMW DriveNow UK