Nissan Motor Co. and the City of Yokohama officially launched the “Choimobi Yokohama”, Japan’s first one-way car sharing service with a large number of vehicles.
Drivers will be able to rent units of NISSAN New Mobility CONCEPT, an ultra-compact electric vehicle. They will be able to drop off the car at a different location from where they started, enabling one-way travel.
Enrollment in Choimobi Yokohama started on September 25 and those who have signed up will be able to use the service, which will operate for a year and the initial fleet of Nissan New Mobility CONCEPT vehicles will soon be expanded to 100.
The scheme is intended to explore how ultra-compact electric vehicles can be used to improve the lives of people in cities. The small size of the NISSAN New Mobility CONCEPT holds out the prospect of easing traffic congestion, and improving access to tourist areas and communities. The ultra-compact EV produces no emissions while it is being used, making it ideal for use on crowded city streets.
Over the next year, Nissan will carefully monitor the beneficial impact of the scheme alongside other stakeholders including Hitachi Ltd., which helped to develop the car sharing operation system, Mitsui Fudosan Realty Co., Ltd., which provides the rental stations, and local public transportation service providers and local businesses.
Nissan Senior Vice President Toshiaki Otani said, “Nissan has been working on EV and zero emissions as a pillar of our corporate strategy. We are delighted that our efforts have realized Japan’s first ultra-compact car sharing program with a large number of vehicles, and we wish to thank Kanto District Transport Bureau from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the City of Yokohama, Hitachi, Ltd. and all the companies and groups for their supports. We want to create the future of mobility for the world right here in Yokohama where Nissan’s headquarters is based.”
Kanako Sahashi, a resident in Yokohama City, who is the first user of this car sharing program says, “As Choimobi is compact, it looks easy to drive. It’s also good that it’s a one-way service and I can choose where to get off as there are many stations. We have lots of interesting places and events in Yokohama but when it’s a bit far to get to a place on foot, Choimobi is very useful. With Choimobi, I can enjoy the city much more.”
