Getting around a city with a physical disability is very difficult, which is why Charlotte de Vilmorin founded Wheeliz -- an Uber-like car-sharing service with solely wheelchair-accessible cars. She saw a gap in service provision for those who were wheelchair-bound in Paris, with poorly adapted public transportation and expensive car rentals.
This service allows people who own adapted vehicles to make a little money on the days their car isn't being used, while those that need them can rent the wheelchair-accessible car for a reasonable price. The start-up gets a commission of 30% in exchange for providing insurance to both parties.
Wheeliz currently exists in France but is looking to expand globally. Similarly to Uber, this car-sharing service recognized and filled a need that wasn't yet met by the regular market.
What's Driving This Trend
- Wheelchair-accessible Car Sharing
- Addressing the need for accessible transportation, wheelchair-accessible car-sharing services like Wheeliz provide an innovative solution for people with physical disabilities.
- Peer-to-peer Car Rental
- With platforms like Wheeliz, the rise of peer-to-peer car rental services allows individuals to rent out their adapted vehicles, providing a cost-effective and convenient option for wheelchair users.
- Global Expansion of Accessible Transportation
- As Wheeliz looks to expand globally, there is a growing trend towards the expansion of accessible transportation services, providing more inclusive options for people with physical disabilities.
Who This Affects Most
- Transportation
- The transportation industry has the potential to adopt wheelchair-accessible car services, revolutionizing how people with disabilities can travel.
- Sharing Economy
- The sharing economy industry can benefit from the rise of peer-to-peer car rental services like Wheeliz, offering unique opportunities for individuals to share their accessible vehicles.
- Insurance
- With Wheeliz providing insurance to both vehicle owners and renters, the insurance industry can explore partnerships and innovative solutions to cater to the specific needs of wheelchair-accessible car services.
