Published March 7, 2012
By Huw Evans
EDAG Group, one of the world’s leading engineering firms, has been pushing not only the concept of sustainable mobility but also car sharing, which is seen as an increasingly relevant business model for future transportation.
At the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the firm revealed it’s third EV concept, logically labeled “Light Car Sharing,” which aims to provide a viable solution for urban dwellers looking for mobility without the drawbacks that owning a car in the city often presents.
Compared to private EVs, the Light Car Sharing concept was designed with different considerations in mind, more akin to those of fleet buyers, namely durability, simplicity of service and parts interchangeability, as well as representation of the city or area in which it’s designed for use (think London Taxi, New York Checker Cab or Bangkok Tuk Tuk).
Alongside the vehicle, EDAG has developed an intelligent charging system, which in addition to replenishing energy, allows the operator to gauge the amount of charge required, range available and the vehicle’s servicing schedule.
In addition, via GPS and smart phone technology, fleet operators will be able to communicate with customers as to which car sharing vehicles available, along with their location and directions and instructions for collecting the vehicle, as well as billing and other aspects such as bookings, journey distance and time.
Although the idea of car sharing is nothing new, some predict that in the future, particularly among younger demographic groups, the concept of transportation on demand will prove more popular, especially as technology advances and more consumers are able to access information and perform ever more tasks using Internet based technology.
“We see car sharing vehicles as being predestined to launch electric mobility onto the market as quickly as possible,” says EDAG CEO Jörg Ohlsen. “The combination of car share vehicles and electric drive systems would be ideal, particularly with a view towards social trends [which show] a preference for temporary mobility.”
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