Twelve automakers are to link up in China in the launch of a new electric car-sharing service.
Didi Chuxing, the ride-hailing company that took over Uber’s China business two years ago, is preparing an app that allows members to use their vehicles in a new ‘electric car-sharing’ scheme.
The service will include the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, as well as Chinese electric carmaker BAIC BJEV, Ford partners Changan Automobile Group and Zotye Automobile, Chery Automobile, Geely Auto, KIA Motors among others.
Didi said it presently has 260,000 electric cars in its network, with hopes of reaching 1 million by 2020.
The link-up between Didi and the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance will assess the issue of supplying all-electric battery car models for Didi’s new service.
“This cooperation fits with the alliance’s expansion in vehicle electrification, autonomy, connectivity and new mobility services,” said Ogi Redzic, senior vice president of Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services for Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi.
Global Market Insights valued the global car-sharing market at $16.5 billion by 2024 compared to $1.2 billion in 2015 – with China expected to see rapid growth.
This new phenomenon has spurred global automakers to deliver their own car-sharing schemes and revolutionise the market at the same time.
The likes of Germany’s Daimler AG has its Car2Go service, BMW runs DriveNow, while the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance is investing $1 billion over the next five years to adapt to the rapid industry change.
