AutoShare is a car sharing company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The service was launched in October 1998 with 16 initial members and three cars. As of June 2009, AutoShare has over 10,000 members and over 200 cars, available for use 24 hours per day. Members pay according to their usage based on time and distance driven, and have a variety of plans from which to choose.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, AutoShare offers its members cargo minivans, Prius hybrids, and alternative fuel vehicles. It is also to testing a plug-in hybrid and buying electricity from renewable-energy provider Bullfrog Power. The Toronto Parking Authority is a partner in helping locate cars near transit, in city parking lots.
AutoShare is the only car-sharing company in Toronto to offset all CO2 emissions resulted from driving by its organizational members through Zerofootprint.
Car sharing has been recognized in the City of Toronto's official plan as a part of the transportation system, and is being promoted by Toronto's Clean Air Partnership.
Based on member surveys, 15% of AutoShare members sold a car after joining and 25% decided not to purchase a car. About one in four members reports increased transit and bicycle use.
AutoShare was founded by Kevin McLaughlin, who continues the automotive innovation and tradition of Sam McLaughlin and Earle McLaughlin.