Hyundai will give you two hours of free seat time in the Ioniq EV, with a catch

By Miles Branman Published November 15, 2016

Consumer behavior is changing automotive commerce, prompting several brands to eye the car sharing model as a future profit source. GM has partnered with Lyft, BMW’s ReachNow service continues to expand globally, and Ford has announced its own car sharing service is coming soon.

Now it appears Hyundai wants in on the action. The Korean automaker has announced a partnership with WaiveCar, a car sharing program that runs on advertising dollars. Hyundai’s part to play is that it will offer its new Ioniq EV for free … with one little catch.

Recommended Videos

Customers will be able to reserve Ioniq vehicles for two hours at a time through the WaiveCar app, but every vehicle will be outfitted with geotargeted advertisements. Yes, you’ll be cruising in a rolling billboard, but at least it will be free. Ads will be displayed via full car wrap and a roof-mounted digital display.

“WaiveCar presents some great solutions for us,” said Mark Dipko, director of corporate planning and strategy at Hyundai Motor America. “The Ioniq offers emissions-free transportation to on-the-go Angelenos. This partnership allows us to reach potential customers and give them the opportunity to test drive our outstanding Ioniq electric while generating awareness for the Ioniq brand at the same time.”

hyundai-ioniq-car-share-side — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hyundai and WaiveCar will kick off the program early next year. Interested customers need only to download the app for iPhone or Android, find a nearby Ioniq, book it, and drive off (just like most ridesharing apps). Insurance is included in every booking. As mentioned, the first two hours of driving are free, and anyone who wants to continue the short-term loan can pay a flat fee of $6 per hour.

At launch, WaiveCar will use 150 Hyundai Ioniqs throughout Los Angeles, with 250 more cars coming, in three additional cities, by the end of 2017.

“We are extremely excited to be working together with Hyundai,” said Zoli Honig, WaiveCar’s CTO and co-founder. “Providing low cost, eco-friendly transportation alternatives to consumers is our core mission and offering the Ioniq will accelerate that goal. We believe this partnership will be tremendously beneficial for Hyundai, WaiveCar, our customers, and the environment.”

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…

Cars

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N makes one of the coolest EVs ready for the track

Ioniq 5 N front

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is getting even more powerful. Hyundai has unveiled a new variant of the now-loved EV, giving it the classic N treatment -- and making for the new Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.

If you're familiar with Hyundai's N cars, you'll know what this variant means. The new car boasts racing-style accents, turns the pixel design up to eleven, and, as you would expect, offers a new powertrain and a range of performance-focused features that will make driving the new Ioniq 5 N a whole lot more fun.

Cars

Don’t let these hidden EV fees catch you off guard (or deter you)

The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

EV manufacturers have long claimed that while electric cars often cost more upfront, they’ll save you money in the long run thanks to the lower cost of maintenance and the fact that electricity is cheaper than gas. While it's true that EVs are cheaper over the life of a car, a number of factors can affect how long it will take to recoup the upfront investment. You've probably considered the cost of charging at home and at public charging stations, but here's one factor catching EV buyers off guard: state registration fees.

Depending on where you live, you could pay hundreds of dollars more to register your car than drivers of gasoline cars do. Here's why that's happening, how much it's costing EV drivers, and whether you should be concerned.
Why are states imposing EV taxes?
There are some good reasons why electric car registration fees are higher than those for gas cars. In most states, there’s a gas tax that’s usually at least 20 cents per gallon, and sometimes much more. California, for instance, charges 58 cents per gallon. That tax usually goes to things like road upkeep.

Cars

I’m glad the Hyundai Ioniq 6 isn’t just a smaller Ioniq 5

Rear three quarter view of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Finally, we're at a point where carmakers other than Tesla are moving on from their first generation of electric cars, and releasing their second and even third models. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and its sister the Kia EV6 both made headlines for being stellar alternatives to the Tesla Model 3 or Model Y, thanks to their innovative designs and high-tech features. But with more models finally coming out, carmakers have a choice: Should they just build smaller and larger versions of the EVs they already have? Or, should they try to keep pushing the design envelope with each new model?

Hyundai has decidedly taken the latter approach. The Ioniq 5 didn't necessarily reinvent the wheel, but it certainly offered a fresh take on the midsize crossover, with retro-looking pixel lights, a scaled-back interior, and more. But with the Ioniq 6, the company has gone back to the drawing board. There are similarities, to be sure -- but the Ioniq 6 is far from just a smaller version of the Ioniq 5.
The design of the Ioniq 6
There are plenty of similarities between the design of the Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 5, but at first glance, they look totally different. The Ioniq 6 is much sleeker, and frankly, Porsche 911-inspired. Its sleek curved lines culminate in a bar-light spoiler along the back of the car, and its slanted headlight cutouts give it a classic look. Only small details, like the pixel light accents sprinkled throughout the car, hint at its shared heritage with the Ioniq 5.