Autolib'

Autolib was a car sharing service that operated in Paris, France, from 2011 to 2018, founded by Bertrand Delanoë, the former Mayor of Paris. The service was launched in collaboration with Bolloré Group, a French conglomerate, and Vinci SA, a French concessions and construction company. Autolib' was designed to provide an alternative mode of transportation for Parisians, reducing the city's reliance on personal vehicles and promoting a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system, similar to those implemented in Copenhagen and Vancouver. The service was also inspired by other successful car sharing programs, such as Zipcar in Boston and Car2Go in Austin.

Introduction

Autolib' was introduced as a part of the City of Paris's efforts to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in the city, with the support of French Ministry of Ecology and European Union's Cohesion Policy. The service was designed to be user-friendly, with a simple registration process and an easy-to-use mobile app, similar to those used by Uber in San Francisco and Lyft in New York City. Autolib' members could reserve and access vehicles using their smartphone or a membership card, and the service was available 24/7, making it a convenient option for commuters and tourists alike, including those visiting popular destinations like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre Museum. The service was also integrated with the Paris Metro and RER systems, allowing users to easily combine different modes of transportation, similar to the London Underground and Berlin U-Bahn.

History

The concept of Autolib' was first introduced in 2008 by Bertrand Delanoë, who was inspired by the success of Velib', a bike sharing system launched in Paris in 2007, and other car sharing programs, such as Car2Go in Ulm and Zipcar in London. The service was launched in 2011, with an initial fleet of 250 electric vehicles and 100 charging stations located throughout Paris, including popular areas like Champs-Élysées and Montmartre. The service was operated by Bolloré Group, which was responsible for maintaining the vehicles and managing the charging infrastructure, with the support of EDF and Total SA. Over the years, Autolib' expanded its fleet and network of charging stations, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation in Paris, similar to the efforts made by Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Service

Autolib' offered a range of services to its members, including car sharing, car rental, and electric vehicle charging stations. The service was designed to be flexible, with members able to reserve vehicles for short or long periods of time, depending on their needs, similar to the services offered by Car2Go in Vancouver and Zipcar in Chicago. Autolib' members could access vehicles using their membership card or mobile app, and the service was available 24/7, making it a convenient option for commuters and tourists alike, including those visiting popular destinations like the Arc de Triomphe and Notre-Dame Cathedral. The service was also integrated with other modes of transportation in Paris, such as the Paris Metro and RER systems, allowing users to easily combine different modes of transportation, similar to the London Underground and Berlin U-Bahn.

Fleet

The Autolib' fleet consisted of electric vehicles provided by Bolloré Group, including the Bluecar, a four-seat electric car designed specifically for the service, and other models like the Renault Zoe and Peugeot iOn. The vehicles were equipped with advanced technology, including GPS navigation and real-time traffic information, similar to those used by Tesla, Inc. in Palo Alto and Volkswagen Group in Wolfsburg. The fleet was maintained by Bolloré Group, which was responsible for ensuring that the vehicles were in good working condition and that the charging infrastructure was functioning properly, with the support of EDF and Total SA. The Autolib' fleet was also designed to be environmentally friendly, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation in Paris, similar to the efforts made by Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Impact

Autolib' had a significant impact on the transportation landscape in Paris, providing an alternative mode of transportation for Parisians and reducing the city's reliance on personal vehicles. The service was also designed to promote sustainable transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a focus on electric vehicles and car sharing, similar to the efforts made by Vancouver and San Francisco. Autolib' was seen as a model for other cities, with many urban planners and transportation experts studying the service as a way to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution in other cities, including New York City and Los Angeles. The service was also recognized for its innovative approach to transportation, receiving awards and recognition from organizations such as the European Commission and the International Energy Agency, including the European Green Capital Award and the Sustainable Transport Award.

Closure

Despite its success, Autolib' ceased operations in 2018 due to financial difficulties, with the service facing significant losses and struggling to compete with other modes of transportation in Paris, including Uber and Taxi. The closure of Autolib' was seen as a setback for sustainable transportation in Paris, with many environmental groups and transportation advocates expressing disappointment and concern about the impact on the city's air quality and traffic congestion, similar to the concerns raised by the closure of Car2Go in San Diego and Zipcar in Denver. However, the legacy of Autolib' continues to inspire innovation in transportation and sustainable development, with many cities around the world studying the service as a model for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting environmentally friendly transportation, including Copenhagen and Vancouver. The closure of Autolib' also led to the development of new car sharing services in Paris, such as Free2Move and Mobicoop, which continue to promote sustainable transportation in the city, with the support of French Ministry of Ecology and European Union's Cohesion Policy.