The experience of renting a car is both common and often plagued by complications. Individuals seeking to rent a vehicle frequently face a slow manual process that does not guarantee an ideal car, with options – such as with insurance or fuel – that one simply does not need. Additionally, with a sustainable transition taking place across sectors, rental companies face growing pressure to ensure their vehicles are electric and enable clean mobility. EMobility Company UFODRIVE, was created in response to such challenges, and is pioneering a new experience for rental users that establishes sustainability as a clear priority.

Aidan McClean, CEO and founder of UFODRIVE, explains how his personal experiences led to the creation of the company. “I've been passionate and following the story of electric cars and the transition to clean technology and clean mobility for over a decade, and also I've been suffering the car rental experience all over the world in my personal and business travels.” A particularly gruelling experience in Vienna Airport pushed McClean to redefine the customer experience of car rentals. “It took over an hour from the point of arriving at one of the major car rental brands to the time I drove out of the airport with my car. So I kind of had enough of that, and I wrote a business case for what is now UFODRIVE.”

The UFODRIVE service is optimised to be fast and effective through automation, removing complications from the customer. The user simply engages with the service on their phone in a two-minute arrival and drive process, with the app able to guide the customer to the vehicle. UFODRIVE provides electric cars and connects over 150,000 fast charging stations across Europe into its app, eliminating range anxiety for its customers. “We bring the driver, the car and the customer together”, explains McClean, “They just drive and enjoy the UFODRIVE experience.”

In addition to creating an accessible and efficient experience for its customers, UFODRIVE is committed to ensuring a sustainable service. Company COO, Renaud Marquet, explains the goal of “zero emissions, zero hassle” and how it is being achieved. “We always put the customer at the centre of every operation and every design we are making. And then, very naturally, the electric piece came into play because we're passionate about the electric vehicle transition.” However, UFODRIVE also ensures its customers are contributing to environmentally positive activities. “For every kilogram of CO2 saved by our customers, we are donating to nongovernmental organizations to plant trees. At time of booking, you will know the exact number of replanted trees your journey contributes to.”

UFODRIVE is working to encourage the electric transition. CEO Aidan McClean’s new book explains this further. “Our mission is to help change the mindset of people to think that the only way is electric to encourage that transition.” The company is using its expertise on the subject to educate others on the myths and truths of electric vehicles and climate disaster through its new book, “The Electric Revolution”, and through a series of blogs.

The car rental sector needs to change, McClean believes that the entire industry will soon engage with electric vehicles. “Very few car rental companies from 2025 onwards are going to consider purchasing internal combustion cars because most of them will be banned in many European and international global cities by 2030. So, you're going to see this rapid transition to electric mobility.” UFODRIVE is working toward that new paradigm sooner than most but is conscious of the need to do so in a manner that does not negatively impact its users. By ensuring that all vehicles are electric and by prioritising the customer experience, UFODRIVE is contributing to a future where transportation is both clean and easy.