Electric car-sharing service rolled out

June 24, 2009|Aaron Morrison, Associated Press

BALTIMORE - The nation’s first all-electric car-sharing program debuted yesterday at the city’s Inner Harbor, with manufacturer Electrovaya hoping urban residents seeking to go green and curious tourists will take the concept for a spin.

Electrovaya Inc. is offering its Maya 300 for rent at the Maryland Science Center. The car can go up to 120 miles on one charge of its lithium-ion battery system, and it gets its juice from a regular 110-volt outlet.

“This is an example of what science centers do best,’’ said Van Reiner, president and chief executive of the science center.

Ten cars will be available starting today through the new car-sharing website Altcar.org. A two-hour trip costs $29.

The manufacturer calls the fleet of emission-free cars a “game changer’’ in urban transportation. Electrovaya chief executive Sankar Das Gupta said that’s because the vehicle has the look and feel of a four-door, gas-powered sedan and should appeal to consumers who want to reduce oil dependence.

The car makes little noise, provides dashboard gauges for battery life and temperature.

Driving 50 miles will cost about $1 in energy.