Flexcar is making headlines again, due to controversy over whether it should be subject to rental car tax. Whichever side of the issue you stand on, most agree that car sharing can be a sustainable option in the city.

"For people who drive less than 6,000 to 7,000 miles per year, car sharing is definitely preferable [to owning a car]," says Ref Lindmark, transportation planner with King County Metro. Lindmark was part of the team behind Flexcar's origin as a public/private partnership, and he and his wife now use Flexcar as their second car.

How much of an impact does Flexcar really have? Some numbers to consider:            

• The Transportation Research Board reported that each car-sharing vehicle takes approximately 15 cars off the road.

• A series of informal surveys conducted by Flexcar showed that an average of 20% of Flexcar members sold their car, while 40% avoided buying a car.

• More than 30% of Flexcar's fleet is hybrid vehicles, and more than 80% of the vehicles are certified ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle).

Flexcar's hourly $10 rate includes car insurance, 24-hour maintenance, parking and gas. Compared to the average cost of owning a car, car sharing can save drivers thousands of dollars a year.

And, as Flexcar spokesperson John Williams points out, car sharing can change driving habits. "When you apply a cost to a trip, people get a lot smarter," he says. "They reduce the number of trips they take in a car; they do multiple errands in one trip. You're probably not going to take wasteful trips." 

Thinking about turning in your keys? Flexcar, which serves around 20,000 Seattle members, plans to have nearly 400 cars in its fleet by the end of this year. Making it easier than ever to access a car when you need it. See what it's like to replace your car with Flexcar for one month, and receive incentives like a $50 reimbursement through King County's One Less Car Challenge.