Nelson Car Share Pricing Information

What is a Car Share Co-op

It is shared ownership, instead of private ownership. The vehicles are owned and insured by the cooperative and distributed through the community. Vehicles are conveniently located within walking distance of members' homes, and can be booked on line at www.nelsoncar.com or for assistance leave a message for Barry Nelson @ 352-2704 or John Alton @ 352-1204. If you leave a message you must receive a telephone confirmation of your booking, before using the vehicle.

What will it cost me

$ 500 share purchase (refundable deposit); key deposit (refundable). Each member will be billed based on the most advantageous plan costs based on their monthly usage.

When gas prices fluctuate greatly, a fuel surcharge may be added to the KM costs calculated on an average cost per KM for each vehicle as compared to a base rate per vehicle for each KM traveled.

How much will I save by joining?

It depends on how much you drive! Driving is by nature expensive. Heavy drivers (more than 12,000 km per year) may be better off running their own vehicle. Car sharing is good if you need a reliable vehicle part-time, for local use.

Cost Comparison

Owning a car - yearly cost (16,000 km/year)

Car Share - yearly cost

*Finance charges: 20% down, 4-year loan at 6.5% for the rest
*Depreciation: 15-20% annually depending on model. 17.5% used here
*Maintenance and repairs: estimated by Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) at 0.7 cents/km for a new car and at 5.2 cents/km for a 6-year old vehicle
*Gasoline: Cars consume 8.5 1/100 km and gasoline price is 62 cents/litre; Oil: Cost is 0.5 cents/km

Are there other Car Share Co-ops?

The idea started in Europe, where there are over 50,000 members of car share organizations. In Canada, there is a car sharing organization in Quebec City (1994) and Montreal (1995) with close to 1000 members and 70 vehicles. In Vancouver (1996) 2100+ drivers share 120 cars, with vehicles in Tofino and Nanimo as well, while in Toronto (1997) 100 drivers share 5 vehicles. Victoria and Vancouver currently have cross share agreements so members can sign out cars from the other organization when in a different city! As Nelson has a cross share agreement with Vancouver, we can use vehicles from their co-op by arranging in advance through either John Alton 352-1204 or Barry Nelson 352-2704.

Who looks after the cars?

There is a paid fleet Administrator who takes care of the details: vehicle maintenance, repairs, cleaning, insurance, administration, etc. The monthly administration, hourly, and kilometer charges are enough to cover all these expenses. All members have to look out for the cars. If a problem is detected, it is important to contact the management so it can be fixed promptly. If a problem is detected, it should be noted on the log and reported by email to the Administrative Coordinator at bandw@netidea.com so it can be fixed promptly. If it is a serious safety concern a notification must be attached to the steering wheel of the vehicle to warn other drivers not to drive this vehicle and the problem immediately notified to the Administrative Coordinator.

How do I reserve a car?

You go online to www.nelsoncar.com and book on our calendar. Simple is best.

Can I take the car away on holidays? Anytime?

Yes - you just have to book in advance. It's based on a first come, first served principle. Members can contact each other to make arrangements.

Where do I pick up the car's keys?

Each member is given a set of car keys to each vehicle when signing up as a member.

Can my family drive, too?

Yes - you can have one eligible family member who lives with you purchase associate member shares for $ 250 each. This gives them the right to use the cars, but no vote.

Who looks after gas fill-up?

Members are asked to simply gas up when the tank is approaching the middle. Simply write the amount on the trip log and put the purchase receipt, with your name on it in the receipt envelope on the clip board.

Can anyone join the co-op?

Drivers are carefully selected by the Membership Approval Committee. Some criteria:

*Minimum 19 years old
*Applicant needs to have a clean three year abstract
*Some special arrangements are also available

This screening process insures all members are protected from bad (or unlucky) drivers, and helps keep insurance premiums low.

Trip Cost Comparison

Auto Co-op Costs - Frequent Use Plan - see top of page. Figures do not include monthly fee of $ 35.

1. 2-hour shopping trip - 10 km.
Budget Rent a Car: $ 58
Private Vehicle ( 6 years driven 20,000 km): $ 4
Private Vehicle (new driven 10,000 km): $ 7.10
Auto Co-op: $ 4.70

2. A 5-hour round trip from Nelson to Castlegar - 80 km.
Budget Rent a Car: $ 61
Private Vehicle ( 6 years old driven 20,000 km) : $ 21.60
Private Vehicle (new driven 5,000 km): $ 56.80
Auto Co-op: $ 21.10

3. All day round trip from Nelson to Creston - 225 km.
Budget Rent a Car: $ 75
Private Vehicle ( 6 years old driven 20,000 km): $ 61
Private Vehicle (new driven 10,000 km): $ 160
Auto Co-op: $ 53

4. A 3 day round trip from Nelson to Spokane - 500 km.
Budget Rent a Car: $ 215
Private Vehicle ( 6 years old driven 20,000 km) : $ 135
Private Vehicle (new driven 10,000 km): $ 355
Auto Co-op: $ 130

5. A week long trip from Nelson to Vancouver - 1300 km.
Budget Rent a Cart: $ 588
Private Vehicle ( 6 years old driven 20,000 km) : $ 351
Private Vehicle (new driven 10,000 km): $ 923
Auto Co-op: $ 326

Private ownership costs based on 6 year old vehicle at 20,000 km/year and 27 cents/km. New vehicle costs based on 10,000 km/year and 71 cents/km. (from CAA Driving Costs brochure)
* Budget Rent a Car costs are as at 2001 prices.