I-GO
 | This article contains promotional content. (August 2010) |
 | |
| Company type | Non-profit |
|---|---|
| Industry | Car rental |
| Founded | 2002 Chicago, Illinois |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
Area served | Chicago, Illinois |
| Services | Carsharing |
Number of employees | 19[1] |
| Website | http://www.igocars.org/ |
I-GO is a Chicago-based not-for-profit car sharing organization. I-GO was established in 2002 by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to creating and implementing new strategies that make urban communities more livable and environmentally sustainable.
Mission
I-GO’s mission is to reduce car ownership rates, decrease transportation costs, reduce urban congestion and improve air quality in Chicago. Since its inception, I-GO has worked to catalyze a set of transportation innovations that make it feasible and desirable for Chicago residents to get around conveniently and economically without having to own a car and, at the same time, reduce vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions. By contributing to the environmental improvement of the Chicago area and the decrease in expenses for residents, I-GO's triple bottom line impact provides a significant social return on investment.[2]
Operations
I-GO currently has cars located in approximately 30 Chicago neighborhoods. I-GO members can reserve a vehicle online or by calling I-GO's customer service. Members can also create and modify their reservations using smart phones. Once a reservation has been created, the member can access the reserved car using a member card, use the car and then return it to the same location. Members pay a one-time fee to join, an annual renewal fee, and are then billed by the hour for their use of I-GO cars; specific rates vary depending on type of plan. Gas and insurance are both included in I-GO's rates. As of June 2009, I-GO had more than 12,000 members and 185 cars available for use.
The average fuel efficiency of I-GO's fleet is 35 miles per gallon, and the fleet is composed of low-emission vehicles. Approximately 40% of the fleet are hybrid vehicles, and a growing percentage are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Each I-GO vehicle removes an estimated 14 cars from Chicago's congested roads.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
I-GO recently added the first two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to its fleet in April 2009 as a result of a joint effort with electricity provider ComEd. I-GO is planning on converting an additional 30 cars in its fleet in fall of 2009.
In December 2011, I-GO announced the addition of 36 electric vehicles and 18 solar powered charging stations to its fleet. At a cost of $2.5 million, the project will enable I-GO members to save an estimated 17,000 gallons of gasoline each year.[3]
Partnerships
I-GO has strategic partnerships and alliances with government offices, local businesses, as well as other non-profits and independent car sharing organizations. Among others, I-GO has worked closely with the Chicago Transit Authority, City of Chicago and Chicago Park District. Businesses such as Whole Foods and Dominick's have provided parking spaces dedicated to I-GO cars, and I-GO has also worked with universities, including Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, DePaul University, University of Illinois at Chicago and Illinois Institute of Technology.
History
- 2001: I-GO is created by the Center for Neighborhood Technology as the first car sharing organization in the Chicago market
- 2002: I-GO begins operations as a pilot project with six cars
- April 2005: I-GO begins its suburban expansion, placing cars in Evanston, Illinois
- August 2008: I-GO and eight other leading non-profit and independent North American car sharing organizations adopt a code of ethics to specify standards and strengthen the industry
- October 2008: I-GO membership reaches 10,000
- January 2009: I-GO establishes a joint smart card with the Chicago Transit Authority, allowing I-GO members to access CTA buses and trains using a single card
- April 2009: Two plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are added to I-GO fleet; the joint effort between I-GO and ComEd is formally recognized by Governor Quinn
See also
References
- ^ About I-GO Car Sharing
- ^ "About us : I-GO Car Sharing". Igocars.org. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- ^ This week in car sharing, GrokCarSharing.com, 2 December 2011.
