Citroen C-Zero Offered in Carsharing Service for Businesses

Citroen Business France partnered with Carbox to provide companies and local authorities with the first 100% electric BtoB (business-to-business) carsharing service. The battery powered C-Zero will be available to public and private institutions as a convenient constraint-free way of introducing electric cars into their fleets.

Carbox is a leader in automated, outsourced service for temporary provision of vehicles to corporate employees on a self-service basis. Carbox and Citroen launched the Citroen Business Connect service in France a few weeks ago, which already enjoys positive market response.

The C-Zero is a nearly identical twin to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, developed to make urban mobility easier with its compact dimensions, rapid charge and sufficient range for day-to-day trips. The car has an electric motor that produces 64 horsepower and 180 Nm (132 lb-ft) of torque, powered by a 330-volt lithium ion battery mounted in the center of the car.

The new service, developed by the automaker and Carbox covers services and tools specific to carsharing, including insurance, servicing and cleaning, as well as EV maintenance, charging infrastructure setup and remote monitoring of battery charge, ensuring that each car is properly charged after each trip and battery charge is sufficient for the next booking.

"The new service provides a tailored, turnkey solution for companies interested in shrinking their car fleets' carbon footprints while meeting their workforces' transport needs," comments Simon Rivier, marketing manager with Citroen Business France.

The first Citroen C-ZERO vehicles to take part in the Citroen Business Connected service will be delivered in early 2011.