California's subsidised Míocar EV-sharing scheme sees rising demand as petrol prices climb

Míocar, a nonprofit car-sharing programme backed by California state and local governments, offers electric vehicles including Chevy Bolts, IONIQ 5s and Hyundai Konas for $4 per hour or $35 per day after a $20 joining fee, with a $0.35 per mile charge beyond 150 miles. The service targets low-income areas affected by air pollution and has attracted users such as Stockton residents who cite high fuel costs as a reason to rent EVs rather than own petrol cars. Interest in the scheme has grown following the removal of federal EV tax credits and a surge in petrol prices linked to conflict with Iran.

Why it matters: The model demonstrates how subsidised shared-EV fleets can drive utilisation and charging demand in underserved communities, offering procurement teams and charge-point operators a blueprint for publicly funded mobility schemes. Rising petrol costs may accelerate similar programmes and the associated charging infrastructure rollout across US cities.