Current Vehicles, the electric rental car company, has launched a contactless on-demand, app-based vehicle-sharing service geared towards the local market.

The initiative allows renters to pick up a Twizy — or the operation’s new Citroën Ami — at any of 15 “homezones” located in Hamilton, Dockyard, St George, at a variety of hotels island-wide and the hospital.

Vehicles are located, reserved and unlocked by smartphone app.

Upon returning a vehicle to a homezone, renters end their booking by smartphone, which locks the vehicle and automatically generates a credit card charge.

Piers Carr, founder and chief executive officer of Current Vehicles, said: “We have been a predominantly tourism-centric business, but what Covid has taught us is how much demand there is among the local market for additional transportation options.”

The company has introduced off-peak rental rates of $4 an hour between 6pm and 8am for all renters. The standard rental rate between 8am and 6pm is $15 an hour.

That off-peak rate drops to $2 an hour for members of the locals-only subscription service, Current Club, which costs $100 a month.

Club members get a $25-a-month free driving credit when they sign up by using the promo code “staycurrent”.

Mr Carr said: “We are trying to encourage people to use our vehicles to commute.

“You are not bound by any contract. When you need a vehicle, it is there for you, and you can take one home.”

He added: “The service improves mobility for both locals and tourists.

“If a tourist wants to go for dinner at a restaurant, they can do so and end the trip when they get back to their hotel.

“They are not bound by a $100 charge, which they would if they had rented a vehicle for the whole day.”

Renters, who must be 21 or older and have a valid driver’s licence and a credit card, can download the Current Bermuda app to create an account with the company, or do so on the Current website at www.currentvehicles.com.