I rented a Tesla Model 3 on the car-sharing app Turo with almost no human interaction - and it was clear why the app is great for millennials

Advertisement
I rented a Tesla Model 3 on the car-sharing app Turo with almost no human interaction - and it was clear why the app is great for millennials

Advertisement

Tesla Model 3

Mark Matousek/Business Insider

The key card for the Tesla Model 3 I rented on Turo.

  • I used a peer-to-peer car-sharing app, Turo, for the first time when I rented a Tesla Model 3 sedan at the end of September.
  • While I initially had concerns about pickup and dropoff logistics, I found the entire rental experience to be more seamless than I'd expected.
  • And I had no problems communicating with the car's owner.
  • I'd definitely consider using Turo again.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

The car-sharing market has grown rapidly in recent years, from around 350,000 global users in 2006, to around 7 million in 2015.

Complimentary Tech Event
Transform talent with learning that works
Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

The rise of smartphones has only made it easier for people to rent out their cars when they're not using them (or to buy a car specifically for rentals, with the idea of eventually making a profit off rental income) by helping to facilitate peer-to-peer car-sharing apps like Turo, Getaround, and Maven.

I used a peer-to-peer car-sharing app, Turo, for the first time when I rented a Tesla Model 3 sedan at the end of September. While I initially had concerns about pickup and dropoff logistics, I found the entire rental experience to be more seamless than I'd expected. Coordinating my pickup and dropoff required only two quick phone calls and a handful of text messages.

Advertisement

Here's what it was like.

Get the latest Tesla stock price here.

{{}}

The first thing you do on Turo is specify where and when you want to rent a car.

The first thing you do on Turo is specify where and when you want to rent a car.

Then, you're shown a list of available vehicles.

Then, you're shown a list of available vehicles.

Read more: I drove the Tesla Model 3 for 2 days and used its most controversial feature — here's why it made me nervous

Advertisement

You can sort by price, brand, color, and size, among other characteristics.

You can sort by price, brand, color, and size, among other characteristics.

Once you select a vehicle, you can look at photos, features, and reviews from previous renters.

Once you select a vehicle, you can look at photos, features, and reviews from previous renters.

See also: Apply here to attend IGNITION: Transportation, an event focused on the future of transportation, in San Francisco on October 22

Advertisement

Then you choose your preferred level of insurance and make your reservation.

Then you choose your preferred level of insurance and make your reservation.

Right after I made my reservation, I received a message from the Model 3's owner with instructions about where and how to pick up the vehicle.

Right after I made my reservation, I received a message from the Model 3's owner with instructions about where and how to pick up the vehicle.
Advertisement

My rental involved a remote handoff, which meant I never met the owner in person.

My rental involved a remote handoff, which meant I never met the owner in person.

Before beginning the rental process, I had been slightly worried about coordinating the pickup and dropoff processes. My apartment was about an hour away from the pickup point via public transit, so the ability to do a remote handoff meant I didn't have to worry about keeping the owner waiting.

To unlock the car, I first had to take and upload a number of interior and exterior photos to document its condition.

To unlock the car, I first had to take and upload a number of interior and exterior photos to document its condition.
Advertisement

Then I called the car's owner, who unlocked it remotely.

Then I called the car's owner, who unlocked it remotely.

When it came time to return the car, I followed a similar procedure.

When it came time to return the car, I followed a similar procedure.
Advertisement

I drove it back to the garage where I picked it up.

I drove it back to the garage where I picked it up.

Then I took photos of the interior, exterior, and battery level before plugging it in to one of the Tesla Supercharger stalls in the garage.

Then I took photos of the interior, exterior, and battery level before plugging it in to one of the Tesla Supercharger stalls in the garage.

I was able to lock the Model 3 by pressing a button on the touchscreen and leaving the key in the car.

Advertisement

Later that day, I was charged about $20 for the electricity I used when charging the Model 3.

Later that day, I was charged about $20 for the electricity I used when charging the Model 3.

Overall, I was happy with my experience using Turo.

Overall, I was happy with my experience using Turo.

I had no problems navigating the app, picking up and returning the car, or communicating with the car's owner. I'd definitely consider using Turo again.

Advertisement
Next StoryThese clothes use outlandish designs to trick facial recognition software into thinking you're not a human