What's this about?
Want to get around London but don't want to rely on public transport and can't be bothered to pedal a Boris bike? From next year you will be able to use BMW's 'grab-and-go' car hire scheme, DriveNow. Run in conjunction with rental company Sixt, the plan is to have a fleet of vehicles deployed at strategic points around the capital.
Which cars can you hire?
BMW's electric i3 will be the mainstay of the scheme, with MINI and 1 Series models also available. The DriveNow scheme already operates in five German cities. Members pay a registration fee and are billed automatically as they use the service. Cars are located, reserved and unlocked using a smartphone app, while a fuel card covers the cost of filling the tank on non-electric vehicles - and drivers who refuel the car earn a mileage bonus. DriveNow cars even benefit from exemption from certain parking restrictions such as parking in some residential bays.
Sounds good, what are the downsides?
Initially at least the scheme won't be London-wide; there are 32 different boroughs and it will take some time to negotiate with them all. So far it is most likely that Hackney and Haringey will be the first boroughs where DriveNow will operate. BMW is also very keen for approval to operate in Westminster as a way to open up the heart of the city. It is hoped that the i3's lack of tailpipe emissions will win favour with authorities keen to improve air quality in the capital.
There is no guarantee that people will take to the scheme; earlier this year a similar scheme operated by BMW's rival Daimler pulled out of the UK. However, there are other grab-and-go car hire schemes established in London.
John Lambert - 21 Oct 2014