DriveNow’s new car-sharing app streamlines reservation process

Mark Moran

Car-sharing service DriveNow has introduced a new rental process in its app and vehicles, which will significantly speed up the process of reserving and using the vehicles.

Customers can now reserve, open the vehicle and drive away within seconds, said DriveNow. In addition, all options for the rental process, including booking hourly or daily packages, are now fully integrated within the app.

Further developments and new features will be introduced over the coming months. The new app is available to download for iOS and Android.

“Most of our customers already rent their vehicles using the app. With the relaunch and our use of state of the art technology, they can now do even more with their smartphone and the DriveNow app,” said Nico Gabriel, chief executive at DriveNow. “By integrating more of the rental process into the app, we have significantly sped up the process, making it quicker and simpler for customers.”

The BMWs and MINIs that DriveNow offers can now be reserved with a single touch of a button in the app, and customers can unlock a car when they are within 150 metres of the vehicle.

The new app also allows customers to plan their journey, check the car for damages as well as book packages. This remote data entry replaces one on the in-car display. As a result, the customer only has to enter their four-digit security PIN, then the car is ready to go and the rental begins.

“The further development of the DriveNow app is an important step into the future,” said Joseph Seal-Driver, Director at DriveNow UK. “With the restructured app we have created the basis for additional innovative features, which we want to integrate over the course of the year and beyond.”

As well as redesigning the booking process, the DriveNow app, website and blog have all been re-designed. “The improved usability of both the app and website will strengthen the position of DriveNow as an urban lifestyle brand,” said Seal-Driver.