Ireland’s leading car sharing service GoCar, has announced an investment of over €1 million in the expansion of its car sharing fleet across new locations nationwide this year. The investment will primarily fund the provision of a new fleet of cars and vans in line with growing demand for GoCar car sharing services among the general public since the covid-19 pandemic.
By the end of 2022, the company forecasts a 15% increase in car sharing locations throughout Ireland compared to 2020. In total, GoCar will have more than 700 car sharing locations nationally this year, with more than 900 vehicles available to rent by the hour and more vehicles expected to be added in line with rising public demand.
Over the past two years, GoCar has been growing beyond its traditional urban centres in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway – this is part of the company’s strategic commitment to make car sharing more accessible to drivers across Ireland as a sustainable and flexible alternative to private vehicle ownership. The car sharing service has already begun its regional location rollout with car sharing now available in multiple locations throughout counties Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Kildare, Meath, Louth, Mayo, Wicklow, Westmeath and Kerry.
Demand for car sharing services remained buoyant following the pandemic outbreak in 2020 and public interest began to rise last year with GoCar expanding its fleet of vehicles by almost 10% in 2021, with a total of 860 vehicles available to users across the country. The company also experienced a 5% increase in car sharing trips booked in 2021 compared to 2020.
Paul McNeice, Head of Country for GoCar, said: “It’s fantastic to see demand for car sharing among the general public on the rise and as a result we are determined to make it as accessible as possible for consumers across the country. For many households, GoCar presents a reliable and important alternative to car ownership and is a really cost-effective solution for daily transport needs including commuting, shopping, recreational trips, staycations and more.
“National preference and attitudes towards private car ownership and sustainable transport are constantly evolving, and now, more than ever before, people are re-evaluating their individual transport requirements and considering flexibility, cost and importantly, environmental impact. To this effect, we hope that our investment in the national expansion of our car sharing fleet will provide an effective transport solution for more people looking for alternative transport options.”
GoCar enables customers to rent cars and vans from just €10 an hour, with corporate customers using the service to meet work-related transport needs and reduce fleet costs. Registered users can easily book via the GoCar app, then unlock the vehicle with their phone; the keys are inside the car, with fuel, insurance and Dublin city parking all included in the rental price.
