Photo: HACSJ Executive Director Peter Ragsdale speaks at the launch of the Miocar charging station in the Conway Community. San Joaquin County Supervisor Miguel Villapudua sits behind Ragsdale. (DUANE SANDERS/CONTRIBUTOR)
Electric vehicle car sharing is coming to Stockton.
South Stockton residents are among the first to sign up for Míocar, the affordable electric car sharing service expanding to the city. The Housing Authority of County of San Joaquin on Thursday hosted the launch of the Miocar charging station at the Conway community, 741 Flint Street in South Stockton.
Jennifer Flores, a Conway Homes resident who signed up for Míocar, says she is excited the carsharing service will benefit her day-to-day routine.
“It’s electric. The gas prices are incredibly high so this is so much better,” Flores said. “To not have to stop at a gas station, it will save an enormous amount of money. It will help low-income people.”
The San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) says the Stockton Mobility Collective project will provide affordable access to all-electric vehicles at accessible locations in the Stockton area. The Stockton Mobility Collective is funded by a Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP) Implementation Grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
Christine Corrales, SJCOG senior regional planner, explained at the event why Stockton service launched at Conway Homes:
“The program is really intended to benefit those who most need it and what we know about residents here in Conway and south Stockton, in general, is that car ownership rates are much lower than the citywide average. That means a lot more residents rely on transit, walking, biking or maybe hitching a ride from friends and family, for example.”
Míocar not only provides the electric vehicles, but the non-profit also will handle the maintenance once a week for the electric vehicles. Míocar is advertising to hire maintenance associates in Stockton.
Míocar, which already operates in the Fresno and Bakersfield areas, says it is available to all Stockton-area residents age 21 and older who have a valid driver’s license and a relatively good driving record. A credit or debit card is needed for a one-time $20 sign-up fee.
Renting a Míocar electric vehicle will cost $4 an hour, or $35 per day on weekdays and $45 on weekends, which start Fridays at 6 p.m. and end on Sundays at midnight.
Míocar members may drive up to 150 miles at no extra charge; however, after this limit, it will cost 35 cents per mile.
Electric vehicles can be reserved through the Míocar app or by signing up and filling out the online application form. Approval takes three to five days.
Stockton plans to add Míocar stations, with five already in the works, Corrales said.
Carsharing reduces pollution and provides the community with “meaningful options in on-demand transit, said Peter Ragsdale, HACSJ executive director.
“Our residents will be able to test and join the program and have a green, affordable transportation alternative to more traditional options” Ragsdale said. “We’re reducing emissions and bringing a mission-driven nonprofit to where they’re needed most.”
