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City CarShare Reduces 60 Million Pounds of CO2 in 2010


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SAN FRANCISCO--April 15, 2011: The San Francisco Bay Area had fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less congestion in 2010 due to City CarShare's (CCS) service. According to results released today, third-party studies and 2010 CCS data, City CarShare members saved $82 Million (over the cost of car ownership) and contributed to a greener environment by reducing 60 million pounds of CO2 emissions last year. Additionally, City CarShare, a Bay Area nonprofit, stated it continued to achieve financial sustainability in 2010, ensuring the 10-year old organization will continue to serve the Bay Area for years to come.

“However, their financial losses should not be seen as a reflection of the industry as a whole. City CarShare and many other regional carshare organizations have achieved levels of operational sustainability while continuing to focus on a reduction in vehicle miles traveled, greenhouse gas emissions, and congestion.”

"People who live in the Bay Area care about quality of life for their families and their neighbors," said Rick Hutchinson, City CarShare CEO. "They see City CarShare as the smart choice because they know we're here for the long term and, together, we save millions of pounds of CO2 emissions while putting thousands of dollars of transportation costs back into our members' pockets."

For ten years, City CarShare has been encouraging locals to give up their cars or forego buying one by offering its members 24/7 hourly access to a fleet of conveniently located unstaffed and fuel-efficient vehicles. As a nonprofit, City CarShare's transit-oriented model of carsharing measures its success based on the benefits its service brings to the Bay Area.

Based on UC Berkeley studies, EPA and AAA data, City CarShare members decreased their carbon footprints while collectively saving $82 Million in transportation costs. Combined, City CarShare members:

  • Reduced congestion on Bay Area roads with over 60,000 fewer vehicle miles traveled per day.
  • Reduced CO2 emissions by over 60 Million pounds, in 2010.
  • Increased their use of public transit, walking and biking by up to 49% (since joining CCS). This equates to an increase of more than 2,500 hours per week of additional environmentally friendly transportation.
  • Saved up to $6,000 per household per year over the cost of owning their own car.

City CarShare's announcement provides a positive outlook for carsharing, as an industry, within the context of Zipcar's IPO. "The IPO has increased awareness of carsharing," said Juan Doubrechat, City CarShare Board Chair. "However, their financial losses should not be seen as a reflection of the industry as a whole. City CarShare and many other regional carshare organizations have achieved levels of operational sustainability while continuing to focus on a reduction in vehicle miles traveled, greenhouse gas emissions, and congestion."

As a nonprofit, City CarShare invests in making the Bay Area a better place by putting every dollar earned back into the community through its services, advocacy, and educational efforts. City CarShare had positive operating income (unaudited $79,000; 1.3% return on earned revenue) for the third consecutive year. This represents fare-box revenue from members less all expenses, including costs associated with its CommunityShare (low income & community programs), AccessMobile (wheelchair accessible vehicle), expansion of access to electric vehicles, and its student and housing programs. These programs extend alternative mobility options to all constituencies while maintaining the lowest carsharing prices in the region.

About City CarShare

City CarShare (CCS) is a Bay Area nonprofit that provides convenient, affordable access to shared cars in order to reduce individual car ownership and usage. With a mission to improve the environment and quality of life in our cities, City CarShare continually strives to make their service so convenient, so reliable, and so affordable that people will prefer using a CCS car to owning their own. In doing so, CCS members are reducing traffic, parking problems, and dependence on oil--while promoting cleaner air, quieter streets, and more open space. For more information visit City Car Share.