Launched in October 2011, the Autolib ‘car rental scheme represents Paris’ latest efforts to become a more environmentally sustainable city, with the stated goal of reducing carbon emissions in the city by 20% by 2020. With a huge fleet of “blue electric motor cars” “and more than 6,000 rental stations in the city and the Paris region as of April 2018, the rental program is the most ambitious program in the city since launching the Velib ‘bike rental program. It allows users who have subscribed to the scheme to borrow a car for short trips in the city of lights and in the wider region: offering flexibility and trips close to zero carbon emissions.
You can rent a car 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and once signed up, the rental plan is fully self-service.
Is it worth the expense and learning curve?
If you are in Paris for an extended stay (more than two or three weeks) and need to get around the city by car on select occasions, you may consider taking one of the ‘blue cars’ for a spin and encouraging more sustainable travel on the city by the way. If you’re only in town for a short time, subscribing is probably not worth the time and effort and may even be impossible, as you’ll have to wait several days to receive the pass in the mail. We suggest using the excellent Paris public transport, metro or buses, instead.
Also, see our page on the pros and cons of renting cars in Paris.
Similarly, if you want to rent a car for a day trip out of town or have a vehicle at your disposal for a longer period of time, traditional car rental services are probably your best option. Autolib ‘is primarily designed for shorter trips of two to three hours max, and prices start to get very high if you take a car out for longer periods. Check out our comprehensive guide to renting a car in Paris to decide if going with traditional agencies might be a better option for you.
How Autolib ‘Works: A Step-by-Step Guide
To rent an Autolib car without stress, you will need to carefully follow the following steps:
- You will first need to subscribe , either by visiting the central office (recommended) at 20 Quai de la Mégisserie (1st district, Metro / RER Chatelet), or by applying via an electronic verification system at one of the stations listed here. You will need a European or international driver’s license, a valid form of personal identification (a passport recommended), and a credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Starting in 2018, you will also need to provide an address where your pass can be shipped . However, if you need to use a car immediately, you can apply for a provisional credential or use a Navigo transit pass.
- Receive your pass in the mail, usually 7-8 days later.
- Once you are equipped with your personal membership card , search for a nearby station in Paris, searching by metro or area (see this page for a list in advance).
- After finding a station, choose one of the available Bluecars and place your badge on the sensor; this should unlock the car (you will see a green light come on if the badge works, if not, a red light will flash, prompting you to retest your badge.
- Then disconnect the connected cable and make sure it is wound properly before closing the cover of the recharging unit.
- Once inside the car, open the ignition key. It is recommended that you check the battery levels and the general condition of the car before leaving. If you notice any problems, call the Velib support center from the rental station before starting your trip.
- To return the car , choose any station (not necessarily the one you initially rented). You will need your credential again to check the car. Finally, unwind the connecting cable and plug it back into the car. That’s!
- If you have further questions about how the system works, or find a problem that you cannot solve yourself, visit the FAQ page on the official site.
Subscriptions, prices and contact information
Subscriptions are available for a day, a week, or a year. For an up-to-date list of Autolib rental prices, visit this page.
Exhibition hall and welcome center: 20 Quai de la Mégisserie, district 1 (Metro / RER: Chatelet, Pont Neuf)
