EVs to rent in Baltimore

Electric cars will be available to rent or share in Baltimore through a program announced Tuesday at the Maryland Science Center. The car, a Maya 300, has a lithium-ion battery and was manufactured by Canadian firm Electrovaya Inc., according to the announcement. The Maya 300, with a top speed of 35 mph, boasts zero emissions and 120 miles per charge, said Sankar Das Gupta, chairman and chief executive of Electrovaya, based in Mississauga, Ontario. The cars can be charged with a standard household electric outlet.

The Maryland Science Center will be offering free test drives of the electric car, with center admission, through July. Starting in August, 10 cars will be available for the car-sharing program, Van Reiner, president and chief executive of the Maryland Science Center, said.

Two types of membership will be offered through the Altcar car-sharing program. One involves a monthly fee, with discounted hourly rates and bonuses, while the other type charges only hourly rates, according to Reiner. There will be rental kiosks outside and inside the science center.

It is interesting to note that this program is partially sponsored by ExxonMobile company.

Source : The Baltimore Sun, by Kaila Cross, June 23rd, 2009