BMW’s DriveNow

BMW Testing Car Sharing Program in Seattle

Like it or not, the idea of car sharing (which, of course brings with it the idea of car sharing apps) is certainly here to stay. Just ask Mercedes, whose Car2Go service has been met with some success recently. Given this, the folks over at BMW are in the process of introducing its own car sharing program they have called DriveNow. “BMW remains dedicated to solving the many transportation challenges faced by major cities—and interested in mobility services such as car sharing,” said a BMW spokeswoman. “We are currently exploring the potential to work with a number of U.S. cities who are welcoming car sharing in their communities and offering the parking permits necessary to operate one-way flexible car sharing.”

That is to say, just after suspending its preliminary run in San Francisco, BMW is now testing out the capabilities of DriveNow in Seattle, Washington. That is not to say the program was not successful in San Francisco. On the contrary, the suspension of the service in the California city was due to the automaker and the city’s inability to reach an agreement with regard to parking permit regulations that prevented car sharing programs from parking vehicles on public streets. So far there is no news regarding BMW’s plans to re-establish their DriveNow program in San Francisco, and so Seattle has gladly picked up the slack. “While we are disappointed in leaving the Bay Area,” DriveNow mentioned in a statement on its website, “we are excited about new prospective cities who are welcoming car sharing in their communities and offering the parking permits necessary to operate one way flexible car sharing.”

BMW’s DriveNow program joins the already successful Car2Go program from Mercedes. “Since we launched in Seattle in December 2012, our mission has been to provide an innovative mobility solution that makes it easier for Seattle residents and visitors alike to get from point A to point B,” noted Michael Hoitink, Car2Go Seattle general manager. “We believe that an effective transportation system in any city is one with a wide range of options. Additional transportation options that complement existing modes is a win for the city of Seattle.”  This is certainly good news for BMW’s DriveNow program, seeing as such a thing is going into a market where another car sharing program has already been established. But, as Hoitink notes, such a thing can only mean a win for the city of Seattle as a whole.

Mercedes’ Car2Go program rents its vehicles for 41 cents per minute, $14.99 per hour, or $84.99 per day. It has yet to be determined where BMW’s DriveNow program will price its rentals, but I would say it is safe to assume somewhere in the aforementioned ballpark.

Keep checking back in here with us at BMW of Elmhurst for more information with regard to BMW’s DriveNow technology. If you are in the area looking to test drive or purchase a new BMW vehicle, stop by our Elmhurst location and see all the new and pre-owned models we offer.