As if the emissions reduction and gas savings weren't enough to entice people to carpool, NuRide rewards users for doing their bit. After registering with NuRide, members can connect with neighbours, friends and coworkers to organize ride shares and log their non-driving efforts. Akin to frequent flyer miles for mindful commuters, members earn points every time they share a ride, cycle into town or skip their commute by telecommuting. Regular NuRide users can receive around USD 350 per year in rewards, which can be exchanged for retailer discounts, gift cards, and tickets to shows and attractions

The service addresses safety issues by only accepting users with email addresses issued by reputable employers, schools or universities. Users can specify particular criteria for those they wish to share with, and can blacklist people they don't want to ride with. Proving that carsharing can achieve critical mass, Nuride has almost 40,000 users, who have been rewarded with over USD 1.5 million in return for cutting out 2 million car trips.

Since members specify their trip origin, destination, travel preferences and vehicle information, sponsors—the companies that provide rewards—can target highly specific sets of consumers, both nationally and locally. NuRide currently operates in eight regions in the US, with many other areas left to be serviced. For more inspiration: our sister site's latest trend briefing includes an introduction to eco generosity.

Website: www.nuride.com
Contact: www.nuride.com/nuride/public/p_contact.jsp

Perks and privileges are the new currency, as our sister site trendwatching.com likes to say, and we've already covered numerous examples. Just last week, however, Mercedes-Benz launched a new one that gives owners of its luxury cars a range of perks at select upscale hotels.

Through Mercedes' Destinations program, drivers of Mercedes cars are entitled to exclusive benefits at partner hotels, including complimentary use of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, welcome gifts and room upgrades. Participating resorts include the Calistoga Ranch in California, the Inn at Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, the St. Regis Aspen in Colorado and Vermont's Stowe Mountain Lodge, among others. There, in addition to room upgrades and free vehicle use, Mercedes owners have access to on-site hospitality credits for restaurants and spas and courtesy shuttles during their stay. Mercedes-Benz vehicles at each property range from an SL 63 AMG performance roadster to the flagship S-Class sedan and new BlueTEC SUVs, all equipped with GPS-based in-dash navigation systems.

“Our customers choose Mercedes-Benz vehicles because they want an exceptional and luxurious experience when they travel by car,” explains Lisa Holladay, manager of Mercedes-Benz brand experience marketing. “Our new Destinations program extends that luxury experience by offering exclusive customer benefits through select, hand-picked properties that are quite extraordinary."

In this era of perkonomics, there's nothing like status, convenience and free love to make consumers feel valued—and, maybe, return some of that love to you. What perks could *your* brand offer to set itself apart...? (Related: More luxury loos, now for members only — Zipcar lands hotel partner.)

Website: www.mbusa.com
Contact: www.mbusa.com/mercedes/#/contactusOverview/

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Springwise readers are already well-acquainted with Zipcar, the car-sharing service we first featured back in 2003. In April 2007 we wrote about Zipcar's partnership with ParkAtMyHouse.com in the UK, allowing its cars to be dispersed even more finely throughout the parking spots of London. Now, thinking along similar lines, one of the leading parking operators in New York City has launched its own, competing car-sharing service for residents of the Big Apple.

Like Zipcar, Mint offers its members 24/7 access to its cars for as little as an hour or as much as several days. The company maintains a diverse fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles as well as fun ones for special occasions, and it frees members from having to worry about car payments, insurance, maintenance, parking or even gas. Each member gets a smartcard, which unlocks Mint cars and also begins and ends a member's reservation. All gas is paid for by Mint using a gas card located in each car—members must simply fill up when the car dips to a quarter tank—and an E-ZPass is included in each car as well, so tolls can be simply added to the reservation charge at the end of the month. To become a member of Mint, drivers pay an application fee of USD 25, which gets them one free year of membership. Hourly rates begin as low as USD 2 per hour, including 180 free miles per day.

Since any car-sharing service is going to need a ready supply of parking spots, it makes good sense to recognize that synergy from the get-go. Mint hopes to expand to other cities in the future—particularly if you're a parking operator, could be one to get in on early!

Website: www.drivemint.com
Contact: info@drivemint.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Back in Springwise's early days, one of the first stories we covered was the car-sharing service from Zipcar. Fast forward almost six years, and the same topic has emerges again, this time from rental giant Hertz.

Launched late last month, Connect by Hertz now offers car sharing in London, Paris and New York City. In New York, for example, members of the service can choose from among three plans, depending on how often they drive. All three give consumers 180 free miles per day and free gas; costs range from USD 50 per year with a rate of USD 10 per hour, to USD 125 per month with an hourly rate of USD 8.50. Insurance, roadside assistance, maintenance and cleaning are all among the benefits included. Similar plans are available in London—priced at GBP 50 per year with hourly rates starting at GBP 3.95, including congestion charges and 30 free miles per day—and Paris, where the annual fee is EUR 120, with hourly rates beginning at EUR 4. Three low-emissions cars featuring iPod connectivity are available in each location—including the Mini Cooper—and are kept in designated parking bays. Members can reserve them by internet or phone, and entry is via a smart chip-enabled Connect Card. More cities will be added to Connect by Hertz in 2009—as well as select university locations, the New Jersey-based company says—and members will benefit from reciprocal membership at any location beginning early next year.

Given that each car-sharing vehicle in New York eliminates up to 14 traditional passenger cars from the road, according to Hertz—with similar statistics in other locations—the environmental benefits of car sharing are clear. Now, with the economy a shambles and the U.S. auto industry in ruins, it's a better bet than ever that more and more consumers will be eager to throw off the shackles of car ownership and become transumers instead. One to emulate in cities around the globe! (Related: Zipcar uses mobile GPS to pinpoint nearest car — Parking & zipping — Making sharing even better.)

Website: www.connectbyhertz.com
Contact: www.connectbyhertz.com/contact.aspx

Spotted by: RK

As if tax breaks, freedom from the pump and an emissions-free conscience weren't enough to make a person want to drive an electric car, the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is now doing its part to make the road even smoother for the plug-in vehicles by offering free charging in select parking spots in the airport garage.

Through a pilot program launched at the beginning of this month, the Sea-Tac Airport now offers six parking spaces in a prime location of the garage with plug-ins for electric vehicles. The green-striped spots, located on the garage's fifth floor, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Standard parking rates apply, but the electricity itself is free.

In this age of perks and free love, it really is better to give than to receive—particularly when the green aura of those on the receiving end reflects back onto you. Eco-iconic, meet perkonomics. Go forth and multiply! ;-) (Related: Converting standard Corollas into electric cars — Battery-powered trucks — The going is green.)

Website: www.portseattle.org/seatac/traveler/index.shtml
Contact: aviation-internet@portseattle.org

Spotted by: RK