In the Elmen neighbourhood of Kehlen, mobility is taking a new turn. Starting in July, residents will be able to try out a car-sharing service, an initiative launched by the municipality in partnership with the ACL and technical support from Moovee. The aim is to reduce dependence on private cars and encourage a more sustainable lifestyle.
The Elmen neighbourhood, which currently has around 735 residents, was designed from the outset with a different philosophy in mind: no individual garages, but centralised car parks no more than 200 metres from homes. The idea is to limit car traffic in the streets, promote soft mobility and make public spaces more welcoming, especially for children.
‘From the outset, we wanted to create a neighbourhood with fewer cars and more life in the streets, like in old villages,’ explains Marc Bissen (LSAP), deputy mayor of Kehlen. Although a RGTR bus line was initially planned to connect Elmen directly to Luxembourg City, it has not yet been implemented. In the meantime, the municipality has conducted several studies and participatory workshops to better understand the needs of residents.
An initial study conducted with the University of Luxembourg at the municipal level showed limited interest in car sharing, with residents expressing greater expectations for public transport and pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. However, a second, more targeted survey, conducted only in the Elmen neighbourhood, revealed a different reality: most households own two cars, but many would be willing to give up the second one if a reliable alternative existed.
It was against this backdrop that the car-sharing project was born, which will start with two electric Renault 5s, reserved exclusively for residents of the neighbourhood. ‘It’s a compact car that’s easy to drive, with good range and a pretty cool design. It was voted Car of the Year in Luxembourg (and Europe), which also makes it attractive to users,’ says Marc Bissen. The choice of electric vehicles is part of a commitment to environmental consistency.
This new service will therefore be available in July, and the municipality has given itself a year to assess its initial impact. The aim is to evaluate actual usage, resident satisfaction and the economic viability of the service. If the results are positive, other vehicles could be added to the fleet, perhaps larger ones. ‘We will need to look at usage and needs, whether residents use it for shopping, taking children to activities, etc.,’ explains the deputy mayor.
An affordable price
According to the previous study, one in three households said they were interested in a car-sharing service, but 63% remained reluctant. Motivations include economy, environmental impact and ease of access. The obstacles are vehicle availability, cost and complexity of use. The cost to the user will therefore be an important factor to take into account, a point of which the municipality is fully aware. “The aim of a municipality is not to make money, but to provide services to its residents. Price is a key factor in ensuring the attractiveness of car sharing, and we have worked to offer very affordable rates without making this project too costly for the municipality,” insists Marc Bissen.
In concrete terms, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., the rental cost will be £2.75 per hour, plus 0.40p per kilometre. To take a simple example, shopping in Luxembourg City (34 km round trip) for three hours will cost £22.35. Assuming you need to go shopping once a week, this comes to £79.40 per month. This is still less than the cost of owning a car. From 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., the rate is lower: £1.50 per hour and still 0.40p per kilometre. It should be noted that the ACL will provide vehicle assistance in the event of a breakdown.
The municipality is also considering introducing incentives such as vouchers of a certain amount to enable residents to try out this new service before adopting it.
Sharing at the heart of the neighbourhood
This project is part of a broader neighbourhood development initiative. On 15 July, the municipality will also inaugurate a ‘Maison pour tous’ (community centre), a space for residents run by a neighbourhood manager, as well as a brasserie open every day. The objective is clear: to make Elmen a pleasant, sustainable and inclusive place to live. “We’re going to have a beautiful square and a neighbourhood coordinator who will be responsible for coordinating projects for associations, organising concerts and plays, facilitating access to the arts, and organising neighbourhood parties and evening events. Sharing is the very essence of what a municipality should be. This car-sharing project is not just about mobility, it’s a different way of living together,” concludes Marc Bissen.
The ACL, a strategic partner for mobility projects
As a key player in mobility in Luxembourg, the Automobile Club du Luxembourg (ACL) has positioned itself as a key partner in the implementation of the car-sharing project in Elmen, in close collaboration with the municipality of Kehlen. This initiative illustrates its growing role as a facilitator of innovative solutions for local communities.
‘One of the ACL’s missions is to support municipalities and our members in implementing appropriate mobility solutions. We act as a link between local authorities and technical partners, ensuring that the services offered are accessible, reliable and sustainable,’ explains Miriam Eisenmenger, CEO of the ACL.
She cites the car-sharing project in Elmen as an example, as well as the initiative to provide cargo bikes to retailers in Esch-sur-Alzette. “Cars, like any other mode of transport, can make a positive contribution to the green transition, provided they are integrated into a coherent and responsible approach. By bringing together the right players around concrete and innovative projects, we are giving meaning to the mobility of tomorrow,” she concludes.
A 100% digital key
From a technological point of view, Moovee, a company already operating in several companies in the country and in Belgium, has equipped the two Renault 5s with its technology to make them shareable.
The system is simple: users download a mobile app, create an account, enter a station code to access available vehicles, and then reserve their time slot based on availability. Payment is automated via the app, and the smartphone acts as the key. “It’s really very easy to use. The user books their car via the app. Once there, they carry out a quick check of the vehicle guided by the app, unlock the car with their phone and drive off. At the end, they close the booking and are billed according to the time and distance travelled,” explains Sébastien Berthelot, CEO of Moovee.
Moovee’s algorithm also calculates the charging time required for the car at the 11 kW charging stations provided for this purpose and creates time slots. ‘We simulated various journeys based on different needs and found that the range of this model will be sufficient for residents’ needs,’ emphasises Sébastien Berthelot.
Another advantage is that the cars will be monitored and the company will be able to provide initial feedback on usage by residents based on accurate usage data (travel time, average booking duration, etc.). The municipality will then be able to decide whether to adapt the service according to needs.
