Turo car-share starting to get Okanagan traction

Sep 14, 2022 | 6:00 AM

Okanagan rental car companies haven’t been overwhelmed, but one of the largest car-sharing companies in the world did get a toe hold in the local market this summer.

A search on the Turo company website for Kelowna and Vernon showed a few dozen vehicles available to rent including luxury vehicles, mini-vans, trucks and compact cars.

For the vehicle shown in this story’s image, a 2019 Tesla Model 3 rental for three days would cost $429. In comparison, a three-day car company rental from YLW of a 2022 premium vehicle would cost $395 plus other optional charges.

In June, Vernon Matters reported on a shortage of rental vehicles due to a number of factors.

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association CEO Ellen Walker-Mathews specifically referenced Turo as a potential alternative to traditional rental vehicle companies.

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The platform works very similar to Airbnb.

The owner lists their vehicle with the company, sets their rental price and signs an agreement, which includes $2 million liability insurance through ICBC.

The host, or owner of the car, is responsible for getting the keys to the person renting, and for an extra fee, will even meet them at specific locations like Kelowna International Airport.

The funds are handled by the company through an online pay portal, with 75 per cent being e-transferred to the vehicle owner within a few days after the rental.

Both the renter and vehicle owner rate the experience which helps both parties inform other consumers and potential car-share participants.

In the sharing economy, it is another potential revenue stream, with the company claiming the average Canadian car-share participant was making $620 per month.

There are other car-share operations in the Okanagan like OGO and Modo, which are both membership-based co-operatives geared more to locals. Turo appears to be more geared to the tourism market.

For information on renting or listing your vehicle visit the Turo website.

by Kevin Rothwell

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