Study finds that PhillyCarShare conserved 770,000 gallons of gas in 2009

PhillyCarShare Betters Environment: 770,000 Gallons of Gas at a Time

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 26, 2010 –Econsult, a nationally-recognized local consulting firm, has analyzed membership usage, survey results, and other data to determine the impact PhillyCarShare has on Philadelphia. Their findings show that PhillyCarShare, the local, non-profit car sharing organization, is achieving its mission of maximizing the benefits of community-based car sharing in the region. 

Because members have easy, convenient access to a vehicle without needing to own one, thousands of members reported forgoing their personal vehicle after joining. Due to the reduction in car ownership among members, each of PhillyCarShare’s vehicles has removed an estimated 15 privately-owned vehicles from the city’s streets.

PhillyCarShare’s pricing structure encourages local, short trips. Members pay per hour and per mile, so they drive when necessary but use other transportation options if more economically feasible. This has a significant effect on reducing members’ driving. Their reduction of driving has meant that 770,000 gallons of gas (and 40,000 barrels of oil) were conserved in 2009.  By driving less, PhillyCarShare members avoided emitting over 7,000 tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants. Further, about half of PhillyCarShare’s fleet is hybrid vehicles, so the shared vehicles have a much better fuel economy and emit less CO2 than the average vehicle.  It’s clear to see how driving done by members impacts the environment less than the average driver.

PhillyCarShare’s environmental impact goes beyond its membership – these effects reach all drivers in Philadelphia. In 2009, approximately 47,000 hours of traffic delay were avoided in the city due to 4,500 fewer vehicles on the road and millions of conserved miles by PhillyCarShare members.  Ever committed to making Philly as “green” as possible, PhillyCarShare is the clear leader in reducing automobile dependency locally.

View the report in its entirety at phillycarshare.org.

About PhillyCarShare:

PhillyCarShare is a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization founded in 2002 with the mission of reducing automobile dependence in the Philadelphia region by offering a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to car ownership.  Members receive a personal key to hundreds of low-emission cars, hybrids, trucks, and vans parked steps from their offices and homes.  PhillyCarShare promotes an urban lifestyle in which members walk, bike, and take transit more, and save an average of $4,000 annually versus private vehicle ownership.

In addition to the Philadelphia residents who have chosen to assimilate car sharing into their lifestyles, PhillyCarShare currently has over 1,200 corporate members which include both for-profit and non-profit companies, universities, and government agencies. Corporate members typically have from 1 to 150 drivers enrolled under their accounts and use PhillyCarShare‘s diverse fleet of vehicles for all types of business needs.

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