ekar – claiming to be the region’s largest and fastest growing carshare operator – has supercharged its Abu Dhabi fleet with the addition of Mini-Coopers, Infiniti Q50s and Q70s, Nissan Kicks, and MG RX5 and ZS cars. Drivers in the UAE’s capital can now choose a car to match their mood!
ekar’s business model is based on being a ‘quick, simple, fun and an economical’ alternative to owning a car without the hassle of paying for insurance; petrol is also included as is complimentary public parking. The company’s flexible pricing structures means that users can choose to pay per minute, hour, daily or weekly depending on the driver’s needs with prices starting as low as 60 fils per minute!
Users can choose to pay per minute, hour, daily or weekly depending on the driver’s needs with prices starting as low as 60 fils per minute!
Since its launch in 2016, ekar has claimed to cover more than 15 million kilometers driven by its fleet which currently stands at 500 cars in the UAE and will pass more than 1,000 by the start of 2020. ekar uses instant reservations and smart access technology for its UAE fleet, providing a network of vehicles for on-demand rent. ekar enable users to easily discover and book available cars via its mobile app and website offering a “pay-by-the-use” pricing scheme.
Signing up for an ekar is simple, the only requirement being the user’s driving license to be at least six months old – if the user has a home country driver’s license they can use ekar right away even if their UAE license is less than 6 months old. UAE residents who want to register with ekar are required to submit the back and front copies of their Emirates ID and driving license. For visiting tourists, the requirement is a valid passport copy and visa stamp page together with their international driver license.
ekar uses state-of-the-art instant reservations and smart access technology, providing a network of vehicles for on-demand rent in the UAE.
ekar started out like many of the recent tech businesses have done in the UAE. They observed a problem and went about figuring out how to find a solution and make the joys of driving car just that – joyful!
- Forbes Middle East 2016 – Most Promising UAE-based Start-up
- Forbes Middle East 2017 – #35 Top 100 Startups in the Arab World
- GITEX 2017 – Business Innovation Award
- Sharjah Entrepreneurship Festival – Winner Logistics & Transportation Award
- Arabian Business Awards 2018 – Shortlist for SME Leader of the Year – Vilhelm Hedberg
- Forbes Middle East 2018 – #5 Top 100 Startups in The Middle East
- Tahawul Tech 2018 – UAE’s Top 5 Tech Innovators