The auto manufacturing company has announced its Volkswagen WeShare program, which will be a car sharing program exclusively for electric vehicles. The program will initially be launched in Berlin, with 1,500 cars, all of which are Volkswagen e-Golfs. 500 additional cars are said to be added to the program by next year, which will be Volkswagen e-up! models.
The Volkswagen WeShare program will also handle charging costs to the vehicles, which will be available on-demand. The cars will not have set locations for pick up and drop off, instead, they will have a "free-floating arrangement." This means that users can drop off or pick up a car anywhere public parking is available. This makes a more convenient experience for consumers, however, this model is harder on the company due to logistical reasons.
Eco-Friendly Car Sharing Programs
The Volkswagen WeShare is an Electric Car Share Program
Trend Themes
1. Electric Vehicle Car Sharing - The Volkswagen WeShare program highlights the trend of car sharing exclusively for electric vehicles.
2. Free-floating Car Sharing - The free-floating arrangement in the Volkswagen WeShare program disrupts traditional car sharing models by allowing users to pick up and drop off cars anywhere public parking is available.
3. Managed Charging Services - The Volkswagen WeShare program's handling of charging costs introduces a trend of providing managed charging services for electric vehicle car sharing programs.
Industry Implications
1. Automotive - The Volkswagen WeShare program presents disruptive innovation opportunities for electric vehicle car sharing within the automotive industry.
2. Technology - The free-floating arrangement in the Volkswagen WeShare program can create disruptive innovation opportunities for technology companies that provide car sharing platforms and solutions.
3. Energy - The managed charging services in the Volkswagen WeShare program open up disruptive innovation opportunities for energy companies that can provide efficient and sustainable charging solutions.