CHALLENGE

Nissan’s ultra compact EVs take up less than a 1/2 of the space that a regular car needs. Our challenge is to attract people’s attention and have them drive the ultra compact EVs.

IDEA

“SMALL SPACES MAKE BIG NEWS”

An innovative car-sharing service utilizing over 100 dead spaces in a city.

The City of Yokohama was suffering from a shortage of parking spaces. In collaboration with the city, we utilized abandoned dead spaces in the city to provide a car sharing service using the ultra-compact EV. We received support from local companies and land owners who wanted to solve the problem. Surprisingly, we were allowed to use the spaces offered by them free of charge. The EV requires only half the normal parking space and can go through back streets smoothly while avoiding heavy traffic. The car was used as a public transportation that people can experience the benefits of ultra-compact EVs.

RESULT

The Japan’s first car sharing service using the ultra-compact EV attracted attention across

Japan. This small innovation became a nation wide topic.

-Free publicity: Approx. 950 million yen (*9.5million US$)

-Registration for use: 3,000 people within a month after the launch.

-The largest EV car sharing service in Japan: 100 stations/100 vehicles

Most importantly, the ultra compact EV connected companies, city and citizens worked together to address the urban development issue.

The initial plan was to implement a car sharing idea on a small scale. However, local companies and land owners supported the concept of vitalizing the city by solving transportation issues. To our surprise, they started to offer small parking spaces for free. As a result, the city has grown as a major transportation facility that connects 100 destinations. The number of parking spaces and vehicles are still on the increase. Our effort is now going beyond the scope of corporate PR activities and developing as an urban development worked together by companies, cities and citizens.

The Japan’s first car sharing service using the ultra-compact EV attracted attention across

Japan. This small innovation became a nation wide topic.

-Free publicity: Approx. 950 million yen (*9.5million US$)

-Registration for use: 3,000 people within a month after the launch.

-The largest EV car sharing service in Japan: 100 stations/100 vehicles

Most importantly, the ultra compact EV connected companies, city and citizens worked together to address the urban development issue.