Getaround launches its instant car-sharing service in Atlanta

Getaround, the carsharing platform that empowers users to instantly rent and drive cars owned by people nearby, announced its expansion to Atlanta.

Users who live car-free, or who need the perfect car for a trip to Lake Lanier or a move across town, can now instantly rent cars nearby—by the hour or day—through the Getaround iOS or Android applications.

Car owners in Atlanta looking to reduce the financial burden of car ownership and let people in their community take advantage of their vehicle can now earn money by listing and sharing their car on the Getaround marketplace.

“Whether it's offering another option for commuters, the perfect car for a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains, a truck to pick up a TV for your dorm room or freeing travelers from rental car lines at Hartsfield-Jackson, we're thrilled to now offer Getaround in Atlanta,” said Sam Zaid, Co-founder and CEO of Getaround. “Consumers are embracing technology solutions that make their lives more efficient and fun. Getaround delivers on those needs while also benefiting the broader community by taking cars off the road and reducing pollution.”

Getaround encourages partnerships with cities like Atlanta, as the platform leverages cars already on the road to reduce traffic and congestion. A study by the University of California Transportation Sustainability Research Center found that for every car shared approximately 10 are taken off the road. In turn, every 1,000 vehicles shared reduces up to 50 million pounds of carbon dioxide, meaning Getaround's community is helping take cars off the road and lessen toxic emissions.

“In 2018, drivers in Atlanta spent an average of 108 hours in traffic,” added Zaid. “Getaround imagines a world with fewer cars, no more traffic jams and better air quality. We're bringing Atlanta closer to that vision by providing a fun, safe and sustainable carsharing experience without the need to meet the car owner, carry an access card, or coordinate picking up a car key.”

Each car is equipped with Getaround Connect, a proprietary technology that enables renters to locate and unlock the car using the app, removing the need to meet the owner in-person for a manual key exchange. By operating exclusively through the app and online, Getaround also removes the paperwork traditionally associated with car rentals. Getaround touts all-inclusive safety features, such as insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance, services that many rental services charge extra for.

In addition to creating economic opportunity for Atlanta residents, Getaround is investing in the Atlanta region with local employees to support expansion as well as auto body and vendor partnerships. With this expansion, Getaround is now operating in over 100 cities across the U.S.