Paris readies electric car-sharing program

[October 01, 2011]  VAUCRESSON, France (AP) -- Paris is preparing to flip the switch on what aims to be one of the world's largest electric car-sharing programs.

Organizers say Autolib', so-named after Paris' Velib' bike sharing system, will begin a two-month testing phase Sunday before full-scale operations begin Dec. 5.

At first 250 of the four-seat "Bluecars" will be available for hire, but organizers say they hope to expand that to 3,000 cars at 1,000 parking stations around Paris and neighboring towns by the end of next year.

Tourists will be able to use the service as long as they have a driver's license recognized in France.

An annual subscription will cost euro12 ($16) per month, but daily and weekly options will also be available.

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.