Car sharing has become a popular transportation option in Denver, offering residents and visitors an easy and affordable way to access rental vehicles. With a variety of car sharing companies operating in the city, it challenging to determine which one is the best fit for your needs. In this article, we will explore some of the best car sharing options in Denver and their unique features, with a focus on pricing, convenience, and sustainability.
What is Car Sharing?
Car sharing is a service that allows individuals to rent a vehicle for a short period of time, usually by the hour or day. Unlike traditional car rental companies, car sharing services typically allow customers to rent cars without a membership fee and provide a more streamlined rental process.
Best Car Sharing Options in Denver
1. Zipcar
Zipcar is one of the most popular car sharing options in Denver, providing a wide range of vehicles for rent by the hour or day. The service offers a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model, with rates starting as low as $7 per hour or $70 per day. Zipcar’s fleet includes a variety of vehicle options, from compact cars to SUVs, and the service provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- A large fleet with over 650 vehicles in Denver, making it easy to find a car nearby.
- Access to more than 10,000 vehicles in over 500 cities worldwide with a Zipcar membership.
- Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles per day are included in the rental fee.
Pricing
- Hourly rates start at $7 per hour.
- Daily rates start at $70 per day.
Convenience
- Zipcar has a mobile app that allows customers to reserve and unlock cars quickly and easily.
- Cars reserved for as little as 30 minutes or as long as 7 days, providing added flexibility for customers.
- Zipcar has designated parking spots in various locations around Denver.
Sustainability
- Zipcar has a fleet of hybrid and electric vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline vehicles.
2. Car2Go
Car2Go is another popular car sharing option in Denver, providing a fleet of smart cars for rent by the minute, hour, or day. The service offers a “free-float” service, which allows customers to pick up and drop off cars anywhere within the designated service area. Rates start at $0.45 per minute or $15 per hour, and the service provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- A large fleet of eco-friendly smart cars, which are perfect for navigating Denver’s narrow streets and tight parking spaces.
- “Park Anywhere” feature allows customers to park in designated areas without having to pay for parking.
- Gas, insurance, and up to 150 miles per day included in the rental fee.
Pricing
- Minute rates start at $0.45 per minute.
- Hourly rates start at $15 per hour.
- Daily rates start at $85 per day.
Convenience
- Car2Go has a mobile app that allows customers to reserve and unlock cars quickly and easily.
- Cars rented for as little as 1 minute or as long as 7 days, providing added flexibility for customers.
- Car2Go has designated parking spots in various locations around Denver.
Sustainability
- Car2Go has a fleet of electric vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline vehicles.
3. Turo
Turo is a peer-to-peer car sharing service that allows individuals to rent out their personal vehicles to others. The service offers a wide range of vehicles for rent, from economy cars to luxury cars and SUVs. Rates vary depending on the vehicle and the owner, but customers can expect to pay an average of $30-$40 per day. Turo provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- A wide variety of vehicles to choose from, including unique and exotic cars that are not typically available through traditional car rental companies.
- The ability to rent a car directly from a local owner, which can provide a more personalized and authentic rental experience.
- Gas and insurance may or may not included in the rental fee, depending on the owner’s policy.
Pricing
- Prices vary depending on the vehicle and owner, but customers can expect to pay an average of $30-$40 per day.
Convenience
- Turo has a mobile app that allows customers to search for and book rental cars quickly and easily.
- Cars rented for as little as 1 day or as long as several weeks, providing added flexibility for customers.
- Pickup and dropoff locations vary depending on the owner’s location.
Sustainability
- Turo encourages owners to offer fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicles, which can help reduce the environmental impact of car sharing.
4. Maven
Maven is a car sharing service operated by General Motors, offering a fleet of new Chevrolet vehicles for rent by the hour or day. The service provides a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model, with rates starting at $8 per hour or $56 per day. Maven’s fleet includes a variety of vehicle options, from compact cars to SUVs, and the service provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- Access to a fleet of new Chevrolet vehicles, which well-maintained and come with built-in features like Wi-Fi and Apple CarPlay.
- “One-way” rentals allow customers to pick up a car at one location and drop it off at another, providing added flexibility for those who need to travel outside of Denver.
- Gas, insurance, and up to 180 miles per day included in the rental fee.
Pricing
- Hourly rates start at $8 per hour.
- Daily rates start at $56 per day.
Convenience
- Maven has a mobile app that allows customers to search for and book rental cars quickly and easily.
- Cars rented for as little as 1 hour or as long as 28 days, providing added flexibility for customers.
- Maven has designated parking spots in various locations around Denver.
Sustainability
- Maven has a fleet of electric and hybrid vehicles, which are more environmentally friendly than traditional gasoline vehicles.
5. Enterprise CarShare
Enterprise CarShare is a car sharing service operated by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, offering a fleet of vehicles for rent by the hour or day. The service provides a “pay-as-you-go” pricing model, with rates starting at $4 per hour or $35 per day. Enterprise CarShare’s fleet includes a variety of vehicle options, from economy cars to SUVs, and the service provides 24/7 customer support and roadside assistance.
Unique Features
- Access to a large fleet of vehicles from a well-known and trusted rental car company.
- The ability to earn rewards points through the Enterprise Plus loyalty program, which used towards future rentals.
- Gas and insurance included in the rental fee.
Pricing
- Hourly rates start at $4 per hour.
- Daily rates start at $35 per day.
Convenience
- Enterprise CarShare has a mobile app that allows customers to search for and book rental cars quickly and easily.
- Cars rented for as little as 1 hour or as long as several days, providing added flexibility for customers.
- Enterprise CarShare has designated parking spots in various locations around Denver.
Sustainability
- Enterprise CarShare offers a selection of fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles, which can help reduce the environmental impact of car sharing.
Conclusion
Car sharing is a convenient and sustainable transportation option for those living in or visiting Denver. With a variety of car sharing companies operating in the city, there is a car sharing service available to meet the needs of every individual. Whether you’re looking for a quick trip across town or need a vehicle for an extended period, car sharing offers a flexible and affordable solution. By choosing car sharing, you can help reduce congestion on Denver’s roads, lower your carbon footprint, and save money on transportation costs.
