Now that I don't quite understand. I find renting a car to be a lot of fun. The salespeople are always super friendly, they get you in and out quick, the price is relatively low (~$70/day after taxes), and you usually get to drive a brand new model.
Maybe doing it once per month would be a headache for some. Personally, I like it and if it saved me money to drive an electric car, I would happily take this deal.
It's fun, if you're on a trip and have a lot of time. But as a semi-regular thing:
- I have to drive to the car rental place unless I live close enough for a pickup, in which case I have to wait around to be picked up.
- I have to arrange my trip so that I both depart and return during the rental place's hours. If I come back late, I have to pay a penalty and either take time off from work the next morning or drive the rented car a whole extra day.
- Unless I rent from a 24-hour airport location, which is usually twice as expensive and does not do pick-ups, so I also have to pay to park my electric car at the airport.
etc. Essentially, it's just not good for routine use.
If you are a member of the frequent renter programs (e.g. Hertz gold club) it is a lot easier, too -- no need to fill in paperwork or even talk to a human each time, since your car should be waiting for you in a stall. Still not quite zip car.
The thing I hate about zip car I'd that the cars aren't maintained between users, so they are often dirty.
The thing I hate about both is that I like having a comprehensive trauma kit, tool kit, zombie/civil insurrection, wifi and inverter, nav system, etc. in my car, so it is not really convenient to transfer all of that between vehicles.
My solution will be company shared f-350 diesel and leased electric, shared at the office for work/personal use.
Services like Zipcar will be strongly complementary goods to electric cars.