RelayRides
Keyless entry is part of the RelayRides system.
Three San Francisco start-ups are hoping to persuade car owners to rent their vehicles to locals and out-of-town visitors. The three companies — Getaround, RelayRides and Spride Share — recently launched online services in the Bay Area to help car owners profit from their vehicles when not using them, while allowing drivers to book the cars at rates potentially lower than what major rental companies charge.
The idea was made possible by California’s new auto-insurance laws, which went into effect in January. Car owners may now rent out their vehicles without concern that an accident claim might affect their personal insurance policies. Under the new laws, vehicle and driver are fully covered by the policies of a car-sharing service during a rental.
In the Bay Area, the three online exchanges are collectively listing about 200 vehicles. The typical compact car rents for about $45 a day, including insurance, though rates vary and are usually quoted by the hour or by the day.
Each company is developing smartphone apps that will provide keyless entry. In the meantime, only Getaround offers the option of the renter and car owner meeting to swap keys. The other two companies provide keyless entry to vehicles, which requires that participants mail an electronic fob (SprideShare) or a smart card (RelayRides) to first-time renters.
In April, London-based WhipCar were the first to offer peer-to-peer car sharing. Today, holders of British driver’s licenses may choose from among 1,000 vehicles to rent. Since June, RelayRides has run a trial in Boston, with about 50 vehicles.