If someone told you they were giving you a free car rental, no strings attached, you would probably think it’s too good to be true. However, this is exactly what WaiveCar is doing. Currently only available in the Santa Monica area, the program connects you with an ad-supported, electric car you can drive anywhere in your destination. Advertisers who wrap the car in advertisements pay the rental costs, so you get to drive for free while taking ads to more eyes.
The program is simple. Use the mobile app to look at cars near you on the handy map. Each car also shows its charge level, so you can be sure it has enough power to get you where you’re going. Book the car straight from the app and pick it up within 15 minutes. If you don’t make it within the short window of time, the car will become available to other drivers again. The car will automatically unlock when it senses you’re within 10 feet (via the app) and you can remove the key from the glove box before heading off.
Once you’re done, a map on the car’s dashboard will pop up, telling you where you can park your car. You can park it at WaiveCar’s headquarters, any legal parking spot, three-hour meter or public charging station.
You can drive for up to two hours completely free of charge. After your two hours are up, it’s $5.99 for each additional hour.
Each car is completely powered by electric and emission-free. Each is a four-door sedan with plenty of room for the driver plus three passengers. One of the fully charged cars will get you 80 miles and, even though the service is only available in Santa Monica, it doesn’t mean you have to stay in Santa Monica when you’re driving. You can take the car anywhere within a 20-mile radius of WaiveCar’s headquarters, which will take you to Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Burbank, Malibu and more.
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