Press & media

500 characters
carvelo is a service offered by the TCS Mobility Academy and the Touring Club Switzerland. Electric cargo bikes (“Carvelos”) can be rented in just a few steps via the sharing platform. The service works similarly to Mobility Carsharing: the Carvelos can be rented by the hour and are available for pick-up from so-called hosts in the neighbourhood. With a Carvelo you can transport goods (up to 100 kg) or two children. Currently, more than 400 Carvelos are available for rent in over 100 Swiss cities and municipalities.

800 characters
carvelo was created as part of the Swiss cargo bike initiative of the TCS Mobility Academy and the Migros Engagement Promotion Fund. It is a sharing platform for electric cargo bikes, through which so-called “Carvelos” can be rented in just a few steps (www.carvelo.ch). The service works similarly to Mobility Carsharing: the Carvelos can be rented by the hour via the carvelo app and are available for pick-up from so-called hosts in the neighbourhood (for example bakeries, cafés or shops). A Carvelo can be used to transport goods weighing up to 100 kg or two children. The costs are very moderate for the users. For each booking you pay a booking fee of CHF 5. In addition each hour costs CHF 3.50. Currently, more than 400 Carvelos are available for rent in over 100 Swiss cities and municipalities.

2,000 characters
In many Swiss cities and municipalities, the electric Cargobikes from carvelo are already part of the cityscape: families use them to take their children to daycare, small businesses deliver their products to customers, and still others use them to transport their weekly bulk purchases. The so-called “Carvelos” are perfect for all kinds of transport. They reduce the burden on the environment, save space, promote exercise and are fun.
The project was launched in Bern in autumn 2015. The Carvelos are stationed at cafés, shops, hotels, restaurants or pharmacies. These so-called “hosts” have a key function: they hand over the key and battery to the users and recharge the battery after each booking. In return, they can use the Carvelo for 25 hours per month for their own purposes.
What began in Bern almost eight years ago is now an established service – carvelo has taken Switzerland by storm and currently has around 400 electric Cargobikes in over 100 communities and cities. More than 36,000 users are now registered on the platform. “We have seen incredible growth with carvelo in the last years,” says Jörg Beckmann, Director of the Mobility Academy. “The success factors are a convincing value proposition to cities in terms of sustainable mobility and our host concept, which ensures anchoring in the neighbourhood,” says Beckmann. Supported by the municipality [xxx], an electric Cargobike of the sharing platform “carvelo” will be stationed in [municipality] on [date]. From then on you can pick up a Carelo at [host name] on [street]. After a one-time and free registration via the carvelo app and the deposit of a means of payment (Mastercard, VISA, Postfinance Card or TWINT), the Carvelos can be reserved online. For each booking you pay a booking fee of CHF 5. In addition each hour costs CHF 3.50. From 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. the hourly rate is waived. For people who often rent a Carvelo, the half-fare subscription for 90.- per year is worthwhile. This halves the rental fee. TCS members also ride at half price, because the TCS is the national partner of carvelo. Once the reservation has been made, the bikes can be collected from the chosen host station and off you go!