Seniors Trade Gas Guzzlers for Free EV Access in Innovative Retirement Home Program

A unique collaboration between electric vehicle rideshare technology company Kite Mobility Inc. and Delmanor retirement homes is revolutionizing senior mobility while addressing parking challenges for developers. This innovative program, reported by Forbes, allows seniors to give up their gas-powered vehicles in exchange for free access to electric vehicles (EVs).

Trading Gas for Electric

Maria and Joseph Poleto, residents of Delmanor Aurora retirement home near Toronto, exemplify this shift. They willingly gave up their gas-burning Chrysler 300 and now have access to an electric Volvo XC40, free of charge, for errands and appointments.

Scott MacWilliam, CEO of Kite Mobility Inc., explained the program’s dual benefits:

“The idea here is that Kite gives [developers] the ability to reduce or remove parking infrastructure, so some of the CapEx savings there goes to fund these programs.”

Cost Savings and Environmental Benefits

The program addresses the significant costs developers face in creating parking infrastructure. MacWilliam estimates that eliminating a floor of 300-400 parking spaces could save developers $30-40 million, which can then fund EV fleets and mobility hubs.

Adam Fineman, Delmanor’s president and COO, highlighted the program’s success:

“In the short period of time that we’ve had the program in place, for six people to give up their cars is pretty significant.”

Overcoming Challenges

While the program has seen early success, it’s not without challenges. Nikki Lewis, Delmanor’s sales and marketing director, noted:

“Our biggest challenge about getting registered users is not all of our residents are smartphone compatible.”

Despite this, the program’s benefits are clear. Residents can borrow EVs for a couple of days within established boundaries, promoting both mobility and sustainability.

Future Expansion

Kite Mobility plans to expand into the U.S. market in 2025, targeting five major cities. MacWilliam sees significant potential in the senior market:

“To our knowledge no one is doing this yet. So it’s a pioneering program that we believe we’re going to expand quickly.”

EVXL’s Take

This innovative program showcases the growing accessibility and appeal of EVs across all age groups. As we’ve seen in recent Tesla articles, EVs are becoming more user-friendly and practical for daily use. The Delmanor-Kite collaboration could serve as a model for retirement communities nationwide, promoting sustainable transportation while addressing the unique needs of seniors. It’s a win-win situation that could significantly impact both the senior living industry and EV adoption rates.

Photo courtesy of Delmanor Aurora/Kite Mobility