VW launching electric car sharing
- August 24, 2018
- Posted by: Simon Wait
- Category: Industry News
The Volkswagen brand is to launch an extensive all-electric car sharing offering in selected major cities under its We Share sub-brand.
The first fleet of vehicles will be rolled out in the German capital Berlin and will comprise 1,500 e-Golf when the service begins operating in the second quarter of 2019, with an additional 500 following later.
These vehicles will gradually be replaced by the first models from the new Volkswagen I.D. family from 2020. Jürgen Stackmann, Volkswagen brand board member for sales, commented, ‘We want to motivate young, urban users to engage with e-mobility. The people of Berlin will be the first to enjoy the electrifying experience of our ’We Share’ car sharing offering.’
We Share is the first service in the new ecosystem Volkswagen We aimed at non-owners. Jürgen added, ‘Because of the size and density of its population, Berlin is the ideal market and has the greatest potential. Many people who have already tested car sharing live there – and the numbers keep on growing.’
Volkswagen is also aiming to draw attention to the benefits of e-mobility and stimulate interest in the technology with the high-visibility fleet of 2,000 We Share vehicles.
We Share takes to the road with what is known as free-floating car sharing, ensuring the spontaneous availability of electric vehicles for customers at all times. At a later stage We Share will be adding smaller vehicles as micromobility solutions to its fleet of electric cars.