Introducing HOURCAR

• Car-sharing has arrived in the Twin Cities!

• HOURCAR is brought to you by the non-profit Neighborhood Energy Connection.

The Neighborhood Energy Connection reduces pollution, conserves resources, and improves quality of life by offering tools for energy-efficient living.

NEC programs include:

• Statewide residential energy consulting

• Home energy improvement loans

• Saint Paul Classic Bike Tour

Car-Sharing Evolution

Mobility Switzerland, founded in 1987 with 28 members and two cars, now serves 63,500 members with 1,750 cars.

Car-sharing crossed the Atlantic to Quebec, Canada, in 1994.

Today, 17 US car-sharing organizations serve 101,993 drivers with 2,558 cars.

HOURCAR was launched in June, 2005, as the first car-sharing program in Minnesota.

Why a localnon-profit?

• Legitimate environmental mission & community control

• Ability to partner with communities, government, and donors

• Priced right: not to create a return for investors

• Economic benefits stay in the community

Why Share Cars?

Most drivers own cars but rarely use them.

Fixed costs of car ownership: $7,800 per year!

Car-sharing “right-sizes” the amount of money spent on driving.

Plus, car-sharers drive less, which improves air quality, conserves fuel, and curbs global warming gas emissions.

How does Car-Sharing Work?

Members reserve any car in the network, online or by phone, in 15 minute increments.

An on-board computer tracks member utilization by hour and mile.

Members receive a monthly invoice detailing utilization.

Business members code projects or departments when reserving cars for easy cost allocation.

HOURCAR’s Green Fleet

HOURCAR has 16 cars in 15 locations.

The HOURCAR fleet is the most fuel-efficient car-sharing fleet in the world.

We chose the Prius for its great fuel efficiency and low emissions.

RatesHOURCAR offers many

plans to choose from.

You can even customize a bundled package.

*Plus off-peak discount of $2.95/hour

Hubs: Minneapolis• St. Anthony East• North Loop• Milwaukee Road Depot• Loring Park (2 vehicles)• Stevens Square• Wedge Co-op• Uptown YWCA• 46th Street Hiawatha Light Rail

Station• And coming soon: Augsburg

College

Hubs: Saint Paul• Lowertown (2 vehicles)

• Mississippi Market ***PHEV hub

• Macalester College

• Park Midway Bank

Unlocking the Car

The member holds their fob over the reader.

The car’s on-board computer recognizes the member and unlocks the door.

HOURCARs are safe and secure: Only the fob activates the ignition or locks the car.

GasMembers leave the tank

at least ¼ full.

Gas cards are in the center console, and are used like a credit card at the pump.

Members are encouraged to use Blue Planet fuel from Holiday StationStores. Blue Planet is a low-sulfur gasoline.

HOURCAR Presents:Minnesota’s First Plug-In

Hybrid• NEC demonstration

project

• Integrated into HOURCAR fleet

• Performance data capture, analysis, and dissemination planned for 2007

Hymotion PHEV system

• Lithium Ion Polymer battery

• Recharges in 5.5 hours on 120V outlet, or 4 hours on 240V.

• 30+ mile range, to be field verified

• Less efficient in colder temperatures

Hymotion L5 Technical Specifications

• Battery Type: Lithium Polymer• Energy: 5kWh• Charge temperature range: -10 deg C to 35

deg• Operation temperature range: -20 deg C to

45 deg• Charge Voltage: 120V/240V (15A circuit)• Charge Time: 5.5hrs/4.0hrs• Weight: 72.5 Kg• L5 Lithium Power specification

Hymotion PHEV

Hymotion Flex-fuel PHEV

• Ford Escape currently undergoing testing

• Roll-out anticipated in 2007

The NEC: Taking fuel-efficiency to the streets

Thank you for getting to know the NEC’s fuel-

efficient transportation

programs.