BMW Launches ReachNow Carsharing Service In Seattle

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Originally published on EV Obsession.

BMW Group has launched its ReachNow premium carsharing service in Seattle, Washington, according to recent reports. The launch follows the recent completion of a successful pilot program.

The company has established Seattle as the North American headquarters of the ReachNow service, and is now working to expand to 3 more US cities before the end of the year. The eventual plan calls for activity in 10 North American cities in total.

Those wondering why we’re covering this at EVObsession will probably be pleased to hear that the service fleet (370 strong) includes numerous BMW i3s — in addition to some BMW 3 Series vehicles and MINI Coopers.

A member of the Board of Management of BMW, Peter Schwarzenbauer, commented: “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. 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 US. Seattle is an innovative, internationally-oriented city which makes it the perfect location to launch these services.”

Green Car Congress provides some further details:

After downloading and registering on the ReachNow app, available in the App Store and on Google Play, 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 car to any legal parking space on the street, including for free at meters and within residential permit zones in the Home Area.

…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.

The service also allows for vehicle delivery — with users being given the option of requesting that specific vehicles be delivered to specific places at specific times.

While the service isn’t currently available at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, that’s set to change beginning sometime in the second quarter of 2016.

Reprinted with permission.