GM’s Maven monthly rental program another step toward mobility as a service

By Bruce Brown March 4, 2017

Maven Chevrolet Bolt EV — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Since its inception in early 2016, General Motors’ Maven car sharing service has offered hourly rentals of new models to consumers and has tested weekly rentals to Uber drivers. Now the General is expanding Maven with a monthly rental program called Reserve, reports Venture Beat.

Beginning in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and with plans to expand to other cities, Maven Reserve offers new Chevrolet Tahoe or extended-range electric Volt rentals for $1,500 or $1,100 a month respectively, including parking, insurance, and $100 in gas.

According to Venture Beat, prior to the Reserve program, more than 25,000 people registered for the Maven service in the 17 U.S. and Canadian cities where it is available. Of the total of more than 32,000 rentals since the program began, the average has been more than 12 hours. And GM says customers want more.

Julia Steyn, GM vice president of GM’s urban mobility and Maven division said in a statement. “Maven Reserve is an innovative approach that answers requests from members for longer-term reservation options.”

Along with ride sharing, mixed mode transportation solutions, and what seem to be the inevitable future fleets of autonomous city cars ready to scoot you to your destination, car sharing is another component of the overall shift from near universal car ownership to mobility as a service or MaaS.

GM’s Maven service is a way for the car manufacturer to hedge both sides of the automotive transportation shift. People who want to test drive a new GM car can avoid going to a dealership and all that entails and rent a car for an hour or two to see how they like it. Maven vehicles typically come fully equipped for this reason. Also, if ownership is bound to dwindle, programs such as Maven give the corporation a place at the table and experience with alternate service programs. It’s smarter than sitting back and starting late.

“Maven Reserve helps our members be there for the moments that matter most, both personally and professionally,” said Megan Stooke, Maven chief marketing officer. “Car sharing is evolving and Maven will continue to adapt to members’ wants and needs.”

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Contributing Editor

Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?

Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.

Cars

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan gets new face, bigger battery

2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan front-quarter view.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan arrived during the 2022 model year as the flagship of Mercedes' EV fleet. But now that it's been on sale for a few years, it's time for this flagship to get a refit so that it can stay competitive with other six-figure electric sedans like the BMW i7, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model S. The updated EQS sedan is scheduled to reach dealerships later this year as a 2025 model.

One of the most controversial features of the EQS has been its unorthodox streamlined shape, which makes the EQS one of the most aerodynamic sedans around, but also means it doesn't look much like a traditional Mercedes. For 2025, the EQS takes a step closer to that traditional look with a new grille featuring chrome bars like on the Mercedes S-Class. It also sports the brand's trademark hood ornament.

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.