Despite the Paris Mayor's determination to eradicate cars in Paris, you can still find some - even parked on the sidewalk, LOL. OK, you guessed, this model is for kids (I found it in the 3rd, not far from République), but within 2 years you will find new "grown up models" (probably a bit larger!) for rent by the hour after the same principle of Vélib. The system is not to be confused with the one I already introduced here, for with Autolib (it will be their name) you will then be able to take a car at one end of the city and drop it at the other end. They should be electric - although electric cars are extremely expensive and not very efficient for the time being - and the rental price should be "reasonable".
I like this, although it is a bit small. It has me singing the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang tune though.
ReplyDeleteKelly
ReplyDeleteYou are so right...
Car share is a great idea. I was pretty sceptical when they first came out, but it really is the way to go when you live in a city that doesn't allow parking anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAnd this little red car is simply perfect for .. a tomato! ;)
Seriously, it's so cute!!
Thank goodness someone else commented! Kelly = GF! uselaine gasps after holding her breath
ReplyDeleteEric, electric cars are perfect for internal city travel! I even found one in Willits, which is admittedly ugly, but fully self contained. Let's all disconnect the petrol hose ASAP!
I love the light and color in the shot.
The French lead the way once again! Can't wait for Pasadena to get these.
ReplyDeleteWe have the Zip Car, a very popular hourly car rental company, They are in about 20 cities in the US now and are growing. Cars rent for about $10 an hour. They're all gas models but represent a set towards a greener world. About 40% of those using Zip on a regular basis decide against buying a car or sell their cars.
ReplyDeleteActually Uselaine, they say that an electric car costs much much more (I read 13 000 extra euros, but I doubt it though) and has a very little range compare to thermal engines (for obvious reasons!)
ReplyDeleteBut I agree, the sooner we break away from oil, the better.
It looks fun. I love the balloon tires. I love the image of children driving these on the sidewalks, running under people from behind, knocking their legs up in the air. Like a cartoon. Use your imagination to fill in the sounds.
ReplyDeleteAnd, speaking of zooming around, anyone going to be in Chicago for the jazz festival over Labor Day?
ReplyDeleteHahahaha...Well, Elaine, it might appear that today must be my day!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you all about finding an alternatives to oil. I wish ideas like these cars would catch on in the suburbs too.
Eric, are they displaying these little models all over Paris to start building awareness, or does this one move around the city?
Eric, You are too funny -- you even pixeled the baby's face. I should not laugh :( I cannot -- it makes me cough -- your fault ;-) hahahahaha
ReplyDeleteJeff, I will be in the area. Are you planning a gathering?
ReplyDeleteEric, I would respectfully argue that within a city like Paris, with a range of maybe 30 miles to a charged battery, with a fleet in constant charge/use rotation, electric could serve most needs. Add the photovoltaic infrastructure to it, and you have an independent system. The economic calculation should include the fueling costs, which we know are subject to manipulation and depletion, as well as the health and safety benefits. If internal combustion was eliminated from the city center, you would have lower speeds (less severe injuries, and less frequent), a quieter city (hear the music and the birds?), and crystal clear air.
ReplyDeletePlus, with designated "safe and clean" streets, you could even have a network of these! LOL! (credit for that to Kim of Seattle's blog)
Wow! This is right up my son's alley. He would LOVE this! (He's already asked that we pave a track around our house so that he'll be able to drive a go-cart around on it--not that he has a go-cart, he wants to build one! BTW, he's 6.)
ReplyDeleteGreat shot, Eric!
I'll quickly add that I am an admirer of beautifully designed cars and vintage looks, etc. But the game is up. Hey, (hay?) I also like beautiful horses. 8^)
ReplyDeleteIt so cute! The Autolib is a nice idea, if it's more simple to rent a car than to rent a velib (no more bank account blocked during two days because of the renting, please!).
ReplyDeleteEric, you found it parked in République, really? As if it was a real car? LOL.
Jeff, you know that I would love to join you at this Jazz Festival!
What a great idea and a good looking car!
ReplyDeleteEric...you're always bringing the STUFF! Electric and solar and human pedal power are in our future. Plus, as US Elaine suggests, it's all better for the environs.
ReplyDeleteKelly...I too found myself humming Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Too funny. And then there's that other song from the movie, "Toot Sweet" [I'm sure there's a French pun within that one!].
Jeff...you're lucky to be going to the Chicago Jazz Fest! There's more to that city than just "Dah Beears!" but I'm sure you know that. BTW...in reference to your cars running down people from behind, that is known to happen in cities like Chicago...especially when it's Cardinal fans on their way to Wrigley. ;-) Have a brat and a beer and a pizza and a good time in the Windy City. Wish I could join you amigo...I'd be there!
Very stylish little car! To drive one around Paris would sure be a conversation starter. I've been walking by a little electric car every day on my way to the casual carpool (often I see it plugged in to the side of the house), and because of all the chatting about electric cars today I finally remembered to look it up! I'm not sure how much they cost, but they sure are cute! Check them out at http://www.zenncars.com/
ReplyDeleteEven though I don't drive -- and how's YOUR carbon footprint? -- I think it'd be so much fun (if I wasn't a car-phobic New Yorker, that is) to drive an adult-size version of this cute little vehicle.
ReplyDeleteEric -- did you pixel the faces because of the Parisian rule about photographing people from the front?
Jeff -- I wish! Hope you enjoy the music.
I've seen some hybrid busess in New York City. They are so much cleaner! Plus they are so quiet you hardly notice them.
ReplyDeletePersonally I'd like it if more people would use bicycles!
I'm ashamed to say I still haven't joined the Vélib system. I guess I love walking around Paris so much that it might be more trouble than it's worth. But Autolib? Wow - I'll be intrigued to see how that works out.
ReplyDeleteAutolib (and not Bagnolib) could be nice, I guess.
ReplyDeleteWhen you are lucky enough to live in Paris city 'intramuros', you don't really need to be have your own car.
Actually, you especially need a car to go to the suburb ... or if you have heavy bags or furnitures to carry. For sure Autolib would be more convenient for that than a scooter! But that's all!!
Until Paris develops a better transportation system (especially after midnight), there will always be a lot of cars in the city.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the idea!
ReplyDeleteNow I hope you people aren't going to start in on Cardinals fans! I will have you know that we are above your petty remarks and refuse to make any fowl comments on Cubs fans no matter how warranted! ;oP No matter really, I'm a Red Wings fan over the Blues and I get ragge don for that every time I wear my RW sweater. And my Avalanche sweater. ...and my Blackhawks sweater...
Soosha...my humble apologies (I certainly did mean you). LOL! Now, imagine growing up in Illinois and being a Packer fan such as I. I was and still am ragged on by BEARS fans. It never ends! ;-)
ReplyDeletePetrea: Thanks for the invite! I won't be in town this weekend (I'll be in Kim's part of the world), otherwise I would be there.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine traversing Place de la Concorde or the Etoile if I rented one of these. I biked with Fat tire tours thru the Concorde and lived to tell about it, so I guess it can be done by a person like me....I think.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I'll send an e-mail about meeting in the Windy City.
ReplyDeleteMa Reine, I would love to see you there, as you know, and tour the Chicago Art Institute.
And, hey, David, aren't you in Chicago? Will you be there over Labor Day weekend? We won't have electric cars to rent, but the jazz should be good.
ReplyDeleteOff subject (and outside Paris): There's an interesting article about Nicolas Foucquet's château at Vaux le Vicomte in the UK's Guardian at http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/jul/09/france.weekends/print
ReplyDeleteLuggi: Lucky Kim!
ReplyDeleteDriving one of these would be fun. Not with a long, flowing scarf tho'.
ReplyDeleteOnce again Paris leads the way. Bicycle hire would be even better and kinder to the environment. We would also be a lot fitter as a race. Until then I will admmire the very cute car. One day will be up late enought ot join in the conversation.
ReplyDeleteSoo, Luggi, one of those vacations for overpaid people, n'est-ce pas?
ReplyDelete(You hooked me so well last time, I just had to acknowledge it!)
I guess it would be... cool! But then again I find anything in Paris cool: Velib, metro, auto or foot!!
ReplyDeleteHey, there's Monica! Where've you been? ;-)
ReplyDeleteLois. Sorry to hear I make you caugh (well, not too much actually! Laughing is good for recovery!)
ReplyDeleteOK Uselaine, I want the conference bike LOL!
Coltrane ""Toot Sweet" [I'm sure there's a French pun within that one!]. "Tout de suite"
Katie, you're right, zenn cars are soooooooooooooo cute!
Monica, c'est vrai ça, how have you been? And BTW, what's your new job like?
Hey Coltrane!
ReplyDeleteStill working hard and with no access to the internet at home, so consider it luck when I manage to show up here these days!
Cher Eric,
ça va bien! beaucoup de travail mais j´adore ça parce c´est très amusant dans l´hotel. Paris me manque terriblement... je reçois des hôtes français tout le jours, donc au moins je me sens un peu près de ma chère France...!
Mon, I've missed you so!!!
ReplyDeleteSo, coltrane, grew up in Illinois...still there? (No, I'm not slowly attempting to figure out where you're located...) ;oP
I wish I had an electric car right now, fuel here is going nuts. AU$1.70 per litre today when I filled up, and the news is saying by 1018 it's going to be $8.00 per litre!!! How are we gonna survive???
ReplyDeleteGecko, I suggest we demand electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles. And I'm serious. Even a hybrid, in my opinion, is a thing of the past.
ReplyDeleteSoosha...me too! ;-)
ReplyDelete