Ride-sharing company Lyft is putting a toe into the rental-car business, Business Insider reports.
Lyft is testing the service in three California markets – San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Oakland.
There is a ride-sharing component, however: rather than renting from a brick-and-mortar location, Lyft offers renters a $40 ride-share credit so they can get to the pickup location.
Prices are comparable to those offered by traditional car-rental companies.
Separately, Lyft offers car rentals as an option through a programme called Express Drive, a partnership with Avis, FlexDrive, and Hertz.
The rental service is seen as combining two of Lyft’s business goals: eliminating the need for private ownership of cars and offering a wide range of transportation options, from cars to scooters.
Drivers must be at least 22 years old to rent a car from Lyft. Unlike other rental car companies, Lyft does not charge a premium for drivers under age 25.
Available vehicles include the Volkswagen Passat, Volkswagen Atlas, Mazda 3, and the Mazda CX-5.
