Home | Questions & Answers | Pricing
Book a Car - Nelson - Revelstoke - Kaslo

Questions & Answers

What is Car Sharing?

It’s a fantastic new way to own a car.

Members jointly own the vehicles and only pay for what they use. When they use one of the co-op cars they pay a low user fee for the time the car is used, and for the km driven. Every member also pays a small monthly administration fee.

What are the benefits of Car Sharing?

For the Member

Car ownership is a huge expense. Car co-ops provide low cost access to a car when you really need one - without being saddled with the huge debt load that comes with individual car ownership. Members only pay for what they use.
No dealing with the mechanic. The hassle and stress of car repairs, oil & tire changes and insurance are all handled and paid for by the co-op.

For the Environment

When there isn’t a car sitting in the driveway, people walk more. But when there IS a need for a car to use, membership to the car co-op provides a conveniently located car for your errands or a trip.
Car sharing means fewer cars in our communities. Fewer cars mean less congestion, less noise and more green space.
The co-op cars are very well maintained. This improves air quality and reduces non-point source pollution to the air shed and watershed.
Car sharing is considered by the Sustainable Transport Council of Canada to be one of three important Green House Gas Reduction Initiatives in Canada. Car Sharing can help us to meet our Kyoto goals.

For the Community

Car sharing means fewer cars impinging on space in our neighbourhoods. Fewer cars mean fewer parking hassles.
Car sharing addresses social inequality issues for those previously deprived of the resource of owning a car.
Car sharing fosters a more pedestrian-friendly community.

How does the Nelson Carshare Cooperative operate as an organization?

The Nelson Carshare Cooperative is a not-for-profit Association legally incorporated to foster car sharing as an environmentally responsible transportation option. Nelson Carshare enhances the social and economic well being of our community. It helps create incentive for people to walk, cycle, and take public transit more often. Nelson Carshare is an environmental organization first and foremost. The members ‘own’ the co-operative. Member’s control, through an open and democratic forum, the scope and direction of the co-op. To encourage individual Green House Gas emission reduction and support the idea of working towards becoming Carbon Emission Neutral, a small .002C per KM charge is put in a reserve account to purchase alternative fuel vehicles for the Co-op fleet.

What does it cost to join and use the cars?

A one-time, REFUNDABLE share purchase in the co-op of $500.00 plus a refundable key deposit, which allows each member to have their own set of keys for each of the Co-op vehicles.
Associate memberships are available, see Family/Partner driving below.

After a short orientation, new members sign the Nelson Carshare Application and purchase their shares in the co-operative. Unless a member wishes to leave the cooperative, the purchase of their shares gives them lifetime membership. No renewal fees. Should a member wish to leave, the shares are placed back into the co-op and the membership is relinquished. The share purchase price is then refunded, less any outstanding amounts owed by the cancelling member.

To foster a stable membership base, new members must be prepared to join for at least 6 months. In keeping with our not-for-profit status, members do not accrue interest or dividends on their shares.

The membership share is available on a time payment basis, with a minimum of $200.00 cash payment at joining. The $300 balance to be paid in three monthly payments of $100.00. Billing is sent out once every two months.

There are three different usage plans - efficiently designed to help members save money. The cost structure is very easy:

Higher Usage:

The High Use Plan (over 300km monthly) is designed for people who use a vehicle frequently or for longer trips. The Administration Fee is slightly higher per month; however high use members pay the lowest kilometre charge.

$35 monthly Admin Fee, $1.50 per hour for the first 8 hours then .50 cents per hour and .20cents/km (includes gas).

Moderate Usage:

For those who drive a car from 100 to 300Km/month.
$10 monthly Admin Fee, $1.50 per hour for the first 8 hours then .50 cents per hour and .28 cents/km (includes gas).

Lower Usage:

For those driving less than 90 Km/month. Designed for people rarely needing a car, but wanting the luxury of knowing one is available when the need arises.
$4.16 monthly Admin Fee, $1.50 per booked hour (to a maximum of $15.00 for each 24 hour period) and .35 cents/km.

When booking smaller cars the per KM charge is $ .03c less for each category.

Minimum time charge is for ½ hour and ½ hour increments for additional time.

When gas prices fluctuate greatly there may be an extra gasoline surcharge added.

Keep in mind - all insurance, fuels, repairs & maintenance, are included in your fees! You don’t even pay for gas.

Is my share protected?

A limited Reserve Fund has been established to cover the repayment of shares as people request. This together with the asset value in the vehicle protects each share purchased. Our initiative is in good financial standing, and we anticipate no significant concerns in the future.

How does insurance work?

The Co-operative purchases insurance from the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) under a ‘fleet plan option’ so the co-op, not the driver, holds the insurance. We carry Third Party Legal Liability to $2,000,000.

In an at fault accident, as determined by ICBC, the member at fault pays the first $500.00 of any claim up to $1,000.00 and an additional amount equal to half the cost above $1,000.00 to a further maximum of $500.00. This payment applies whether the Co-op pays for the accident directly or processes the claim through insurance and then the increase in insurance premiums determines the amount paid by the member in the same ratio as above noted.

How much money ($$$$!!) can I save by joining?

Owning your own car costs anywhere from $4,000.00 per year to $10,000.00 per year depending on the type of vehicle and the distance driven. You could save most of this if your lifestyle does not require regular driving.

How do I join?

Call the Nelson Carshare office (352-2704, 354-1909, or 352-1204) and arrange a meeting time. When you call, we'll ask about your driving history and establish whether you meet the Nelson Carshare criteria.

You must have:

a good credit rating;
at least 3 years of driving history;
3 or less speeding tickets in the last three years;
NO at-fault accidents in the previous three years;
NO criminal code convictions under the Motor Vehicles Act (DUI, etc.).

Our Manager or Administrative Coordinator will arrange to meet with you, go over the application and manual with you, and give you an orientation. A Driver's Abstract, free at the Motor Vehicles Branch, is required to confirm your history. Please bring this to your meeting.

How long does it take to process membership?

Your orientation will take just over an hour. Upon acceptance you can begin booking & using the co-op cars immediately if you pay cash for your share purchase. If you pay for your shares by cheque, you can start as soon as we have bank confirmation that your cheque has cleared. Shares in a co-operative in BC cannot be purchased using credit cards.

How do I arrange to use the co-op cars?

When you need to book a car, go to www.nelsoncar.com and check the booking calendar. If the vehicle you’d like is available when you want it, you can reserve it immediately online. You may also phone the Administrative Coordinator, Barry Nelson at 352-2704 or the Manager, John Alton at 352-1204 and leave a message for one of them to book a vehicle for you. You must however receive confirmation that the vehicle is available for the time of your request. To ensure immediate confirmation, please book on the internet.

Please attempt to schedule your bookings allowing 15 minutes for a previous booking to return. Our membership makes every attempt to return the cars promptly, but a short grace period relieves potential issues.

How long in advance do I need to book a car?

You can book the car as far in advance as you like, or 15 minutes before you need one. The farther in advance you make your booking, the more likely you'll get the car you’d most like to use!

Will a car be available every time I want one?

In a perfect world – yes. But in the odd case when all vehicles have been simultaneously booked, the Carshare Co-op has a Double Booking Alternative Transportation Policy, which should guarantee you will always have an alternative form of transportation when you need it.

How long am I allowed to use a co-op car? How often can I book one?

You can have the car whenever you need it - remember - you share ownership. The only limitation on the length of time you can use the car is to a maximum of 29 days, as per insurance requirements. The minimum booking time is 30 min.

Pre-emptive Booking-- members are allowed to pre-emptively book a vehicle. This means if you want a car at the same time and same day each week, for work or school, you have that opportunity.

Can I use vehicles from other car co-ops?

Yes! You can use cars from Carsharing Cooperatives with whom we have reciprocal arrangements, such as Vancouver and Victoria. Contact our Administrative Coordinator to help you book a Carshare vehicle while you’re there!

Can I use a car for work related tasks?

Our cars are insured to use for any task. Some members use a car for work. You can claim your Carshare invoices as a business expense. Home office consultants find this service the perfect solution to saving overhead costs. For people who live in the Nelson area only part of the year, there are great benefits to not owning a car here, garaged for months at a time.

Remember we also have a truck as well, when you occasionally need to have such a vehicle.

Am I responsible for any maintenance?

The cars are carefully cleaned monthly inside & out by the staff. However, if during your use you've made a mess on the inside of one of the cars you’ll need to clean it up before you return it.

As for mechanical maintenance - NO! Our staff schedules the cars for their regular oil changes, fluids & brakes inspections, new tires, and all other maintenance & repairs, to be sure the cars are in excellent working order.

YOU CAN KISS YOUR MECHANIC GOOD-BYE!

How about GAS - do I have to fill the tank after using the car?

Probably not. Members are responsible for insuring the tank is approximately half full when they return the car. If the gas level goes below half, just fill up, pay for the gas and submit the receipt by placing it in the ‘receipt envelope’ conveniently located in each of the cars. On your billing statement the money you spend on gas is deducted from your driving charges.

How do we keep track of damage?

The members crosscheck each other. A quick visual inspection is required before and after each use, notifying the administrator of any new larger scratches. We want to maintain the cars in good condition as long as possible, so we ask our members to take care.

Can baby seats be used in the cars - what about bike racks? Roof racks?

Proper anchors are installed in the vehicles to use baby seats. Nelson Carshare has a growing number of roof racks, bike racks, cartop carriers etc... which can be installed easily as the need arises.

Will I meet my Car Mates?

Yes, Nelson Carshare hosts membership meetings during the year, where we have the opportunity to get to know one another. There is an annual AGM as well. There are great networking possibilities that stem from these gatherings--members arrange to take trips together, ride sharing to split costs. It’s a great group of people!

What if I get a ticket or get towed?

Car sharing is about sharing the costs and access to a vehicle. It is not about sharing responsibility or liability for damages and infraction costs. If you get a speeding, parking or other car-related ticket, you'll have to pay for it. If the car is towed or impounded while it is out in your name, you will have to pay for cost incurred.

Can my Family/Partner drive too?

Yes - there is an associate share that was specifically designed to allow family/partner memberships. This share costs only an additional $250 plus the refundable key deposit and is intended for one more person at the same address as you.

What if Car Sharing doesn't Work for Me?

Truly, car sharing isn't for everyone. It takes trust, a certain level of flexibility and commitment to using alternative means to get around. If for whatever reason you want to leave the co-op, just let us know in writing and return your set of keys. Your share will be refunded to you within 90 days. We require verification that no tickets or encumbrances are attached to any of the cars during your usage, that your fees are up to date, and that you’ve had no at fault accidents involving one of the co-op cars during your membership.

Are there other Car Sharing organizations?

It is estimated that there are over 100,000 car sharers in Europe. Cooperative Auto Network in Vancouver is the first English speaking car co-op in the world! In Canada, there are other car co-ops. The first in North America is the one set up in Québec City, called Auto-Com. This same group operates under a different name (CommunAuto) in Montréal. Autoshare is in Toronto and there is a co-op in Victoria called the Victoria Car Share Co-op (250/995-0265).