BCAA launches Evo: a new one-way car sharing service and Vancouver's first all hybrid, five-passenger fleet to suit B.C. lifestyle

Survey shows Vancouverites believe city can benefit from a 100% hybrid fleet and roomier cars with bike/ski racks to allow them to enjoy more of B.C.

BURNABY, BC, March 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, BCAA launches Evo Car Share, Vancouver's only pick-up and drop-off anywhere car sharing service to offer a full fleet of four-door, hybrid vehicles. With room for five passengers, cargo space and bike/ski racks, Evo allows more ways for people to explore the beauty of British Columbia.

Evo, created by BCAA, marks part of the auto club's ongoing evolution to meet the changing needs of British Columbians, keeping them mobile, whether or not they own a car.

A recent survey by Insights West indicates that car sharing is good for Vancouver and that the city would benefit from better vehicle and service options. In the survey, 72 per cent of Vancouverites say car sharing is environmentally sustainable and 58 per cent say more and better car sharing options will help reduce traffic congestion.

The survey also reveals that 62 per cent of Vancouver residents are looking for more car sharing options, saying a car sharing service that lets them ski, swim and shop on the same day will make Vancouver an even better place to live.

"This is an incredibly exciting day for BCAA," says Paul Healey, BCAA President & CEO. "Evo is not only an evolution of car sharing in B.C., allowing Vancouverites a way to experience more of our beautiful city, but part of the evolution of our business. BCAA has grown to serve one in three B.C. households today, and Evo is the latest example of how we evolve to stay rewarding for our Members and serve the needs of British Columbians."

BCAA believes car sharing is of growing importance for modern city dwellers as a sustainable mobility option and a way to improve the on-going issue of traffic congestion. By introducing roomier cars with bike and ski racks, Evo will also allow people who don't own a car to enjoy more of what the city has to offer.

According to the survey, 79 per cent  of Vancouverites say not having access to a car negatively affects their quality of life and leaves them struggling with bad weather, being stuck somewhere waiting for a ride or being late for work. Nearly half say they're proud to live in a city with great car sharing options but are looking for a service that lets them do more to take advantage of the B.C. lifestyle.

According to the survey:

• 67% say access to a car is better for the local economy allowing for shopping and entertainment experiences; and 62% say a car sharing service that lets them ski, swim and shop on the same day will make Vancouver an even better place to live
• Nearly 60% say a car sharing service with more space and racks for bikes and skis will allow them to enjoy more of B.C.
• 45% say they would give up their cars for a car sharing option that is as convenient and allows them to do all the things they can do with their own car.
• Vancouverites say mobility is more important to them than chocolate (89%) or coffee (77%)

Starting with hundreds of four-door, low-emission hybrid cars, Evo is now available throughout Vancouver. As a one-way car sharing service, Members can drive wherever they need to go and then drop the car off anywhere within the Vancouver-area Home Zone, which expands east to west from Nanaimo Street to Camosun Street and north to south from Stanley Park to 41^st Avenue. Evo cars can be booked and accessed by smartphone using the Evo App.

Other Evo features that are important to car share users:

• Only pay for time used with pay-by-the-minute rate option including all-inclusive per minute/per hour/per day rates.
• Supports local communities and donates 100% of users' $2 annual ICBC car share fee to non-profit agencies.

BCAA has chosen Vulog to implement its car share solution. Vulog is a market leader in car sharing technology, with strong expertise in one-way and free floating car sharing services.

Evo Car Share is open to everyone but BCAA Members receive free Evo registration ($35 CAD value) and a 10% usage credit. For more details and to learn how Evo works, visit evo.ca.

For details and to learn how Evo works, visit evo.ca.

About the survey
BCAA's Car Sharing Survey was conducted by Insights West. Results are based on an online study conducted from February 10 to February 12, 2015, among 618 drivers in Metro Vancouver who are aged 18+ and are Your Insights panel members. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is +/- 3.9 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

About BCAA
BCAA is the most trusted organization in British Columbia by its Members, and is one of Aon Hewitt's 50 Best Employers in Canada for 2015. Serving 1 in 3 B.C. households, BCAA provides industry leading products, including roadside assistance and home, auto and travel insurance. With more than 100,000 partners worldwide, BCAA Members can save up to $600 per year on insurance and items they use every day. J.D. Power has ranked BCAA "Highest In Customer Satisfaction among Home Insurance Providers in Western Canada" three years in a row (2012, 2013 and 2014) – details at jdpower.com. With over 1,000 employees, BCAA has service locations across B.C., operates an expanding Auto Service Centre operation and Evo, a Vancouver-area car share service, the city's first all hybrid, five-passenger fleet to suit the B.C. lifestyle. BCAA also manages community impact programs that help protect British Columbians and their communities. BCAA has a proud 109-year history and reaches 5 million people across the province each year. To learn more about how a BCAA Membership is rewarding, please visit bcaa.com.

SOURCE British Columbia Automobile Association

Niela Melanio, BCAA Communication Specialist, Office: 604-268-5342, Cell: 778-228-8859, Email: [email protected]