City CarShare, founded in 2001 as a not-for-profit organisation aimed at improving the environment and quality of life in the San Francisco Bay Area, says offering short-term loans it can reduce congestion, parking problems and oil dependence while giving the city cleaner air and quieter streets.

Speaking at the delivery ceremony, which took place at the Green Vehicle Showcase in front of San Francisco City Hall Plaza, City CarShare chief executive Rick Hutchinson said: ‘We are very pleased to introduce the all electric Mitsubishi i into our fleet. This vehicle brings us one step closer toward our goal of having 50% of our fleet run on alternative fuel as part of our mission to decrease carbon emissions in the Bay Area.’

MMNA claims to have had widespread interest in the I, with potential customers including multinational corporations, municipalities and non-profit organizations throughout the United States.