Thanks to a new electric vehicle car-share program, Walla Walla University students now have convenient access to clean, affordable electric cars when they need them.
Drivers can join the car-share community by completing an online profile, providing a valid driver’s license and authorizing the release of their driving record for review. A convenient app provides a way to enter payment details and track invoices for the program. Rates are $8 per hour for community members and just $5 per hour for current WWU students, faculty and staff, not including a small usage fee and taxes.
Jaime Garcia, WWU junior computer science major, has used the service several times, and he is thankful for the freedom it provides him. “I don’t have a car here at the university, so I had to ask friends to drive me or let me borrow their cars,” he said. “With this program, a car is one click away. Now I can get groceries, run errands or go different places without bothering my friends.”
“I’ve driven the Mach-E and the Tesla, and they were really nice,” he added. He noted that for some of his friends, reserving an EV costs less than it would cost them to bring their own cars to school. Currently, four cars can be reserved — two Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles and two Tesla Model 3 vehicles.
The car-share program was developed by Women of Wisdom Tri-Cities as part of their focus on empowering individuals and communities while fostering environmental sustainability. The program is available in Yakima, the Tri-Cities area — Richland, Kennewick and Pasco — and now in College Place.
“We’re excited to partner with the City of College Place and WOW to offer this convenient and affordable service to our students,” said Darren Wilkins, WWU vice president for student life. “Whether they use the car for getting groceries, going to the doctor or a dinner date, this option allows our students the flexibility to go where they need to go at a relatively low cost.”
