The city of Houston is turning to car-sharing network Zipcar in an effort to use its FastFleet program to help the local government save money and promote sustainability within the municipal.
The municipal electric vehicle (EV) fleet sharing program, Houston Fleet Share, will equip 50 existing city-owned vehicles, which includes 25 Nissan Leaf EVs, with FastFleet proprietary fleet sharing technology for city employees. According to the FastFleet program overview, the technology utilizes web and wireless systems to streamline access to the vehicle, track driver and vehicle history, alerting fleet managers when the vehicle may need an oil change. It also improves transparency and accountability.
"Houston is setting the pace for sustainability efforts, and we are very proud to be working with Zipcar to launch the nation's first-ever municipal EV green fleet sharing program. Although we've always been known as the oil capital of the world, we're gaining momentum on being the energy capital through programs like Houston Fleet Share and the Houston Drives Electric initiative," said Mayor Annise Parker.
The Houston Fleet Share program is funded by the State Energy Conservation Office American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (SECO-ARRA) Transportation Program (SEP) and is intended to help the city become more efficient, sustainable and cost effective without sacrificing employee mobility.