Virginia Tech's U Car Share introduces cutting-edge car sharing technology

14 Jan 2011

From left: U Car Share's new keypad technology and key tether system

Virginia Tech’s U Car Share program is taking their innovative technology one step further this spring.

U Car Share began reinventing the green wheel of car sharing by developing their own car sharing technology that eliminates the need for the members' card to gain entry into the vehicle. But the new technology, called NOVA, offers more than just faster access; it uses less energy and captures more information about each reservation.

“We’re excited about the new technology coming to Virginia Tech and think it will make U Car Share even easier to use,” said Debby Freed, alternative transportation manager for Virginia Tech.

An advantage of NOVA is that new members will get faster access from the point of application. NOVA has made it possible for new members to drive a car share vehicle within 24 hours from the time they submit their application for membership with U Car Share, instead of the standard 4-5 business days.

All of the U Car Share vehicles at Virginia Tech will have the new upgraded technology for the start of the 2011 spring semester. For a limited time, U Car Share is offering Virginia Tech students, faculty, and staff a special offer. Until Feb. 15, Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff will get $25 in free driving credit and only pay $10 to join (a $40 value). Just enter code word VTNOVA at the time of application.

For more information about U Car Share and other Alternative Transportation programs at Virginia Tech, please visit the Alternative Transportation website.

For more information about U Car Share or to join the program, visit their website or call (877) 990-8227.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.