BMW has launched ReachNow car sharing service in Seattle

Legendary Bavarian automaker has expanded the ReachNow car sharing program and added Seattle to the list of cities where the service is provided.

5/7/16 5:00 am chumakdenis 1

Finally, dwellers of Seattle can be happy as a clam – their town was chosen to be the participant of so-called ReachNow car sharing pilot program.

From now on, the inhabitants of this beautiful city can rent any BMW’s electric vehicle for, let’s say, relatively low price.

The only thing they need to do for it is to install the app on their cell phone, choose the vehicle that suits them the most and – FYI, i8 and i3 can be rented – …that’s all…time to hit the road.

Seattle was recently ranked the third most electric vehicle-friendly city in the U.S. by ChargePoint, the largest electric vehicle charging network.

A few words about the service itself

ReachNow is a service that is designed to provide drivers with an experience that is as convenient as owning a car.

The user experience is premium, with fast registration and an almost instant approval process – in two minutes or less – a first for any car sharing service.

How does it work?

After downloading and registering on the ReachNow application, members can locate and book the closest available car in the ReachNow app or find a ReachNow car on the street. Members can then return the EV to any legal parking space on the street, including for free at meters and within residential permit zones in the Home Area.

Services

* Delivery service for car sharing vehicles

For members seeking an extra level of convenience, they can request a specific vehicle to be delivered to their desired time and location. This not only increases ease of use but will ensure that a specific vehicle is available.          

* Vehicles on-hand at the airport         

* Car-sharing for longer rentals
Merging the concept of conventional car rental services with car sharing, members will instantly and easily be able to extend the length of time with their vehicle through the ReachNow application.                  

* Car-sharing for residential and corporate groups
ReachNow will offer an unparalleled level of convenience for companies and groups as well with the option for advance, exclusive onsite access to a full fleet of premium vehicles for employees or at residential complexes that can remain onsite.         

* Renting your own vehicle via ReachNow
ReachNow will offer a convenient booking platform that enables car owners to rent out their personal MINI vehicles to ReachNow when they don’t need access to it, thus helping to offset the cost of car ownership.         

* Chauffeur service – book a car with a driver.
ReachNow will offer an option to book a car with a chauffeur for those not wishing to get behind the steering wheel.

ReachNow partners

ReachNow has selected RideCell -- the leading provider of software for mobility-as-a-service -- as its technology partner.

Company's mobility software platform was chosen to run  ReachNow to mobility services like  optimizing for demand, supply and pricing.

Price

All ReachNow vehicles are charged at a rate of $0.49 (cents) for each minute the vehicle is used, and $0.30 (cents) per minute while parked.

The one-time lifetime registration fee is $39. For a limited time as part of an introductory offer, ReachNow will charge just $0.41 (cents) for each minute the vehicle is used and registration is completely free of charge. All prices are inclusive of insurance, fuel, and parking at public meters on the street within the designated areas (Home Area) plus taxes and fees.

ReachNow automatically caps pricing at three different tiers: $50 for up to 3 hours, $80 for up to 12 hours, and $110 for up to 24 hours.

Feedbacks

Peter Schwarzenbauer, the member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said at the ReachNow launch in Seattle: “We are currently witnessing an extremely exciting period in the development of the automotive industry. Our customers rightly expect uncomplicated and fast solutions to their individual mobility needs, especially in metropolitan regions. “

“This is why we are supplementing our classic business model with additional services that make life on the road easier for people in big cities. I am pleased that with the establishment of the ReachNow brand, we are able to offer our customers in Seattle “on-demand mobility” – mobility when it’s needed, from one single source. With this service, we are building up on Drive Now, our extremely successful European business model, and bringing it up to a new level in the U.S. Seattle is an innovative, internationally-oriented city which makes it the perfect location to launch these services.”

“Seattle residents are demanding more transportation options, and car sharing is a convenient way to avoid the expense of owning your own vehicle,” added Mayor Ed Murray.

“BMW’s car sharing service also complements our strategy to promote the use of electric vehicles across the city. As we grow our transit networks, we look forward to expanding car sharing as another great option to get around Seattle.”

Plans for the future

BMW intends to expand the service to three additional cities in 2016 – with the intention of servicing 10 North American cities.

Also, the company has promised to include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in the next quarter.

Well, sounds like the company is ambitious as hell regarding its new project.

Let’s wish German manufacturer good luck and wait more news from BMW.

As of today, the initial fleet of vehicles is 37-, including the BMW i3, i8, the BMW 3 Series and the MINI Cooper.