Gofun, a new-energy time-share car rental brand under the Shouqi Group, will launch in Ningbo on April 21. The first batch of vehicles will be concentrated in Yinzhou Central District, the Higher Education Park, major commercial areas, and transportation blind spots not covered by the metro, with an initial deployment of 200 vehicles. Moving forward, Gofun plans to gradually expand eastward, increasing the number of vehicles and service locations to contribute positively to Ningbo’s and even Zhejiang Province’s urban multi-dimensional transportation network.
It is understood that all shared cars deployed by Gofun are new-energy electric vehicles, which are exempt from the odd-even license plate restrictions on the Ling Bridge and Jiangxia Bridge, thereby alleviating daily commuting and travel pressures for residents. Ms. Liu, a local resident, said: “I work on Zhongxing Road in Yinzhou, where the metro hasn’t reached yet. Driving my own car means dealing with parking, maintenance, and fuel costs. Shared cars can save me a lot of hassle.” The emergence of shared cars, represented by Gofun, can not only help relieve public transport pressure during peak hours but also significantly reduce travel expenses for citizens through their “minute + kilometer” pricing model.
Ningbo is another key city added to Gofun’s network, following Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen, Qingdao, Wuhan, Chengdu, Changsha, and Xi’an, and is also the first city in Zhejiang Province where Gofun has launched. As the world’s fourth-largest port city and the economic center of the southern Yangtze River Delta, Ningbo’s significance is unquestionable. At the same time, the traffic pressure brought by its economic development has gradually become more apparent, making shared bikes and shared cars a new travel option for residents.
In addition, Ningbo’s Higher Education Park is home to nine universities, including the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, and currently lacks metro access, with only three or four bus lines available. Given the large student population, Gofun has set its sights on the university area right from its launch in Ningbo, recognizing students’ openness to trying new things. As an emerging car rental model in the industry, Gofun features unattended vehicles, full app-based operation, and a deposit of just 699 yuan. This not only greatly meets the personalized travel needs of students but also lowers the barrier to using new-energy electric vehicles.
A student surnamed Gao told reporters: “The school is a bit far from the city center. Taking a taxi is too expensive and the bus is too crowded. Every time I think about the commute, I end up staying home.” The arrival of Gofun helps alleviate the difficulty students face in traveling to and from the university area. With lower costs than ride-hailing services and the convenience of instant pick-up and use, it is expected to become the preferred travel option for students going out or taking short trips to the suburbs. According to reports, in other cities where Gofun has deployed vehicles, university campuses have been key focus areas, often resulting in high demand and “vehicles in high demand” scenarios.
With the support of the overall economic climate and national policies, Gofun has always adhered to the philosophy of “Smart Living, Driving the Future,” responding to the call of the government and committed to integrating users’ fragmented travel needs by providing convenient, green, fast, and economical travel services. With its launch in Ningbo, Gofun will also introduce an annual charging promotion, offering tangible benefits to the city’s residents. Seize the opportunity and experience true car-sharing.