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WaiveCar has launched the first free-to-use car-sharing facility in Santa Monica and Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California, US.

Supported by advertising revenue, WaiveCar’s fleet of compact, four-door Chevrolet Spark cars are fully electric and completely emission-free with a 129km range a charge.

WaiveCar CEO Isaac Deutsch said: "WaiveCar rides are free because the cars work as mobile billboards. You’re paying us just by driving the cars.

"Our motto is: We waive the fee, you drive for free. All you need is a smartphone, a clean driver’s licence and a credit card."

The cars travel at a rate of 0-60mph in 7.9s, with 141HP and equipped with Bluetooth.

"We pride ourselves on providing a top-of-the line driving experience that is kind to the environment and to our customers’ budgets."

WaiveCar’s app is available for iPhone and Android users, who can locate a car near them, book it and start their journey without any card or key.

WaiveCar will unlock the door for the driver remotely with the keys kept inside. Insurance is also part of the all-inclusive deal.

WaiveCar has waived the fee for the first two hours of driving, after which $5.99 an hour is charged from driver.

Deutsch added: "We pride ourselves on providing a top-of-the line driving experience that is kind to the environment and to our customers’ budgets."

After the end of the driving time, the map will display a feasible car drop-off location to users.

Drivers can even earn extra rewards depending on where they leave the car.

The 20-car fleet will be managed by Roy Ryman, the former North America fleet manager for the Car2Go car-sharing programme.

The car-sharing system will eventually serve the streets of the rest of Los Angeles, with its expansion to a 200-car fleet running across the city.

The launch of the new system has been sponsored by Oscar Health Insurance, a Google-backed start-up that uses data and technology to make health insurance simple and friendly.

Advertisements of the sponsor are displayed on the body of the car and also on the roof through a digital display medium, which easily reach the eyes of large number of people in high-traffic areas.

WaiveCar CTO Zoli Honig said: "WaiveCar’s advertising technology allows advertisers to not only show ads on a particular day or time, but also in specific GPS-defined areas.

"This is a new, innovative advertising medium for companies, and a powerful way of fostering green, renewable energy in our communities."

Image: WaiveCar rides are free as they serve as mobile billboards. Photo: courtesy of WaiveCar.