LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MoceanLab, a future-focused mobility laboratory for Los Angeles, formally launched its Mocean Carshare service in Warner Center today, expanding the reach of its growing car sharing service to the San Fernando Valley for the first time.
Mocean Carshare provides drivers with quick and convenient access to hybrid-electric vehicles for up to three days, at a price comparable to renting an electric scooter. With the touch of a button, the app-based service allows drivers to rent the low-emission vehicles by the minute, hour, or day, providing a much-needed alternative to the privately owned vehicles that contribute to clogged streets, polluted air, and reduced quality of life. Research has shown that a single shared car can eliminate the need for up to 11 privately owned vehicles.
A variety of local and citywide leaders gathered on Thursday to celebrate the launch of the service at Westfield Topanga & The Village.
“We are thrilled to introduce Mocean Carshare to another vibrant area of L.A. and advance our vision of mobility innovation that benefits Angelenos far and wide,” said Dave Gallon, MoceanLab’s Chief Operating Officer. “Expanding this service to the San Fernando Valley is an exciting step toward ensuring even more Angelenos have access to a safe, sustainable and equitable mobility option that can complement public transit while helping to reduce congestion in the street and at the curb.”
Mocean Carshare is the flagship service of MoceanLab, a solution-focused mobility laboratory for L.A. developed by Hyundai Motor Group. MoceanLab is designed to explore, develop, and launch mobility advances – from car sharing to micromobility, autonomous travel, and urban air mobility – with the goal of eventually sharing them worldwide.
Warner Center represents a key testing ground for L.A.’s mobility advancements. With support from L.A. City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, the area last November was designated the city’s first Transportation Technology Innovation Zone to test new mobility solutions.
“We are proud to welcome Mocean Carshare to Warner Center’s Transportation Technology Innovation Zone, advancing our work to provide more sustainable, reliable, affordable mobility options for Angelenos,” Councilmember Blumenfield said. “With Mocean we have another tool to address the first/last mile public transit challenge while helping reduce traffic, lessen the need for car ownership, and limit the competition for scarce parking spaces.”
The Warner Center expansion follows nearly two years of steady growth by Mocean Carshare, including “home zone” locations in Downtown L.A., Eagle Rock/Highland Park, and most recently, West L.A. Unique among car sharing services in L.A., Mocean Carshare enables drivers to begin or end their rides in parking places anywhere in a home zone, without being limited to one specific location. This enables drivers to enjoy the service with maximum freedom and flexibility.
“Los Angeles takes pride in leading the nation with dynamic and innovative mobility solutions that create more equitable, sustainable, and economically robust communities,” said Julia Thayne, Executive Officer in the Office of L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. “The Transportation Technology Innovation Zone exists to revolutionize mobility in the San Fernando Valley and beyond, and emerging companies, like MoceanLab, are helping to blaze that trail.”
Mocean Carshare’s Hyundai loniq and Kia Niro vehicles will be available to eligible drivers in several strategic areas within Warner Center, east of Topanga Canyon and north of Ventura Boulevard. Westfield Topanga & The Village has reserved two parking spaces expressly for Mocean Carshare vehicles.
“Westfield welcomes new advances in transportation services to better serve our guests and neighbors,” said General Manager Brian Parent. “We look forward to seeing Mocean Carshare flourish here in Warner Center, especially as we move through the pandemic and see even more people enjoy shopping, dining and gathering with friends and loved ones.”
“Warner Center is a dynamic, innovative home to local businesses, residents and mobility innovators,” said Brad Rosenheim, Executive Director of the Warner Center Association. “We are excited to work with MoceanLab to deliver convenient, safe, reliable transportation for the community and serve as a model for what’s possible in all of Los Angeles.”
Mocean Carshare’s rental rate includes metered parking within the City of L.A., fuel and insurance, a notable advantage as the prices of gasoline and other mobility options, including ride-hailing services, continue to rise.
“For the past two years, MoceanLab has met Los Angeles’ urgent need for forward-looking mobility solutions, coordinating with local communities and expanding the Mocean Carshare service thoughtfully and strategically,” said Sam Morrissey, Executive Director of Urban Movement Labs, a first-of-its-kind transportation innovation hub launched in 2019. “We are excited to welcome this solution-driven mobility lab to the Warner Center Transportation Technology Innovation Zone and look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this new mobility option.”
MoceanLab places a high value on close, collaborative engagement with L.A.’s communities and strong partnerships with world-class L.A. organizations, such as the USC Keck School of Medicine’s celebrated Street Medicine Team. Mocean Carshare vehicles have also been available to first responders at half-price throughout the pandemic.
More information is available at www.moceancarshare.com and www.moceanlab.com.
