SocialCar

SocialCar is the world’s first peer-to-peer car-sharing company. That’s usually all one needs to know. You rent a car from another person that owns a car via the internet.

However, Social Car is different. The founder, Mar Alarcon, wanted to create a business that was profitable, that would contribute socially and would also deliver on her notions of sustainability. She has totally succeeded, which is why when people write or talk about her company, they reach for the phrase ‘paradigm shift’.

Firstly, the tech/online/app solutions developed by Social Car have transformed the car rental sector. Secondly, and equally importantly, it is the affordability of the product that has make it a success. Lastly, and most crucially, when you rent a car via Social Car, you have the same insurance cover and other legal protections that you get from conventional (and very expensive) global car-hire firms (Mar forced the insurance sector to come up with a new a product and amazing tech to ensure the entire enterprise would thrive).

So there you go. Hire a car cheaply from a willing neighbour and get proper insurance cover for your loved ones, all at the click of a button. Alternatively, rent your car out to someone local, get proper insurance cover and feel good about sorting out all the relevant taxes in a jiffy. Tech futurologists say Social car is about sustainability, social inclusion and the Mobility-as-a-Service era.

For you and me, Social Car has just made our city a better, cleaner and sweeter place.