GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Grand Rapids’ Mobile GR Department announced the launch of its new electric vehicle car share program.

The DART GR, “(D)rive (AR)ound (T)own (GR)and Rapids,” allows residents to rent an electric vehicle for $5 per hour. You must be 21 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and a valid credit, debit or pre-paid card, according to the city.

The program currently has five 2023 Chevrolet Bolts for rent at electric charging stations throughout the city:

  • West Fulton Lot (747 Fulton St. W)
  • Madison Square Lot (436 Umatilla St. SE)
  • Eastown Ethel Lot (420 Ethel Ave. SE)
  • Weston Commerce Ramp (18 Weston St. SW)
  • Government Center Ramp (300 Monroe Ave. NW)

By the end of the year, a sixth car will be added to the Burton Division Lot at 2004 Division Ave. S, according to the city.

“This program will provide a low-cost transportation option for many residents all over Grand Rapids. This program also promotes environmental sustainability by expanding EV charging infrastructure,” Mobile GR Director Jessica Smith said in a news release.

Daniel Misovich, a Grand Valley State University senior who was taking the bus to get to the Allendale campus Thursday, said the service will be useful if family is in town and for many students who can’t afford a car.

“If you can get something for $5 an hour, that seems like a really good price. So I think it’s a good option for even people that take the bus … if they were in a rush and needed to take one of these cars,” Misovich said.

The program is a partnership between the city, Mobility Development and Consumers Energy, which provided $30,000 in rebates for chargers and $25,000 to purchase a vehicle.

“This aligns with our sustainability goals to have more carbon reduction in our city, and so whether it is having buses that are fully electric, other city vehicles in our fleet … right now, about 40% of our fleet is either electric or hybrid,” said Grand Rapids City Manager Mark Washington.

Those who are interested in the program can download the app through DARTGR.org. You will need to upload your driver’s license and a payment method and wait for membership processing, which the city says takes a few days.

More information can be found on the city’s Mobile GR Department website or by calling 311.