One-time activation
Register before using the TRU Car Share program. Staff and faculty must create an account before booking a vehicle.
TRU Car Share
Transportation
Please note that CarShare program vehicles cannot be driven outside of BC. Only TRU staff and faculty members, with students considered on a case-by-case basis, are eligible to use CarShare for TRU-related business only.
Before booking your initial trip, you need to sign up for the TRU Car Share program.
Steps to get started
One-time activation details
- Staff and faculty need to register prior to using the TRU Car Share program to get an account. Students can use cars on a case-by-case basis, and their faculty supervisor must give permission for the specific outings.
- All drivers must possess a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver's licence. Class 7, or “N”, drivers are not able to participate in TRU Car Share.
- You must upload both the front and back of your driver's licence, along with your driving record. This confirms eligibility to drive in BC and allows TRU to assess violations that might be of concern.
- Drivers with a trend of speeding tickets or similar infractions may be denied access to the program.
- You will receive a welcome email from TRU Car Share.
- You will need to add a cell phone contact number where you can be reached while you have the vehicle.
- Add the contact email of your supervisor or travel approver. The system will send them a notification whenever you make a vehicle booking.
Overview and available vehicles
Staff and faculty, and sometimes students, who need transportation for TRU-related business can use this program. Conference travel, meetings and field trips are all potential cases, but vehicles cannot be driven outside of BC.
Three cars are available:
Toyota Prius 2018 plug-in hybrid
Approximately 30 km of pure electric range before the gas engine automatically starts. Four seatbelts.
2021 Tesla Model 3 SR+
Fully electric car with approximately 350 km of EV range. Five seatbelts. Review the Tesla information document before booking.
Kia Sorento 2025 plug-in hybrid
Approximately 48 km of pure electric range before the gas engine automatically starts. Six seatbelts.
In the event the vehicles need attention, such as a headlight being out or a flat tire, contact sustain@tru.ca or call 250-852-7652.
Suggestions to improve the program are welcome. Contact the Sustainability Office at sustain@tru.ca to provide feedback.
Program guidelines
Access to and use of all TRU Car Share vehicles is conditional on acceptance of and compliance with the following terms.
- Please be aware there is GPS tracking on the vehicles that will be used in cases where the business use of the vehicles is questioned.
- Drivers are expected to conduct a pre-trip inspection to ensure that there is no damage to the vehicle.
- Drivers are responsible to account for damage that has been noted after car use.
- Drivers are expected to return all vehicles in the same, or better, condition as prior to their use and with a full tank of gas, or charged/charging.
- Vehicles should be clean, tidy and free of damage.
- All drivers must possess a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 driver's licence. Class 7, or “N”, drivers are not able to participate.
- All drivers must comply with all Canadian traffic laws.
- All drivers and passengers in university vehicles must acknowledge that they are considered representatives of TRU and must act and drive responsibly.
- Modifications to university vehicles are not permitted. This includes affixing signs, stickers, trailer hitches and similar items.
- Drivers are responsible for the cost of all traffic violations, parking tickets, toll bridge fees and similar expenses.
- If a university vehicle sustains any damage, the driver must report the incident to the TRU Sustainability Office immediately, regardless of the severity of damage.
- Once finished with a vehicle, drivers are to complete an entry in the log book found tucked beside the passenger seat of each vehicle.
- Please be courteous to the many friends, coworkers and colleagues using the cars. Damage to the vehicles limits how often they can be used, so please drive and park with consideration of others.
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Program access may be denied to drivers who exhibit a trend of speeding tickets or other infractions over the last few years until that trend ceases to be an issue, at which time drivers can reapply.
- Two infractions within the last 12 months.
- One infraction per consecutive 12 months, over the last three consecutive years.
- Three infractions over the last 24 consecutive months.
- Exceptions may be considered. To discuss your situation, email sustain@tru.ca with the subject line: CarShare – Discuss Program Access Denied.
In an emergency, call 911
Once the emergency has been addressed by the appropriate first responder team, please email sustain@tru.ca or call 250-852-7652 to make the office aware of the situation.
Tire repair instructions
The three vehicles do not have a spare tire. Instead, use a tire inflation kit. See instructions for each vehicle below.
Toyota Prius
Use the spray sealant and air compressor to temporarily fix the tire. Watch the video below for instructions on how to fix a flat on the Prius.
Having the vehicle towed and repaired at Toyota is preferable. If you use the tire repair kit, notify the Sustainability Office at sustain@tru.ca as soon as possible so a replacement kit can be ordered.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I park the TRU Car Share vehicles?
You will receive an email once the vehicles are booked with parking locations of your requested vehicle.
Can I leave my personal vehicle in the same parking spot as the TRU Car Share vehicle I'm using?
Yes, you may leave your personal vehicle in the designated TRU Car Share parking space. You must have a valid parking permit, such as economy, general, premium or reserved, or you can purchase a daily general parking permit using the SMRTpass QR code located on the stall marker.
What is the protocol with fueling up and charging the vehicles?
The Toyota and Kia hybrids must be returned with a full gas tank. Fuel expenses should be paid for by the driver using their p-card or billed to their office's travel budget.
All vehicles should be plugged in to charge at the end of your trip.
The FLO charging stations located on campus are free of charge. A FLO card is in the centre console of each vehicle.
Do I need to make an entry in the vehicle logbook at the beginning of my trip?
Yes. There is a pre-trip inspection checklist at the start of the logbook. Follow this inspection checklist and indicate its completion in your logbook entry.
Once finished with a vehicle, complete an entry in the logbook found tucked beside the passenger seat, including the final odometer reading and litres of fuel or kWh of electricity purchased for your trip.
How clean do the vehicles need to be when I return them?
Drivers are responsible for basic tidiness, including crumbs, dirt, dust and general debris, and the vehicles should be returned with a clean exterior. You are expected to take the vehicle through a car wash if necessary.
If the vehicles need more attention, notify the Sustainability Office and a professional cleaning will be arranged.
Where are the car keys?
Information on the location of the key lockboxes is disclosed in your booking email. These boxes are available 24/7 and you are expected to get your key when you pick up the vehicle.
What should I do if I can't get the keys or my booked vehicle is not there?
Call Lora Sartori at 250-852-7253 or James Gordon at 250-852-7153 at the Sustainability Office and tell them about the situation. Do not take another vehicle without permission.
Tesla FAQs
How do I use the touch screen system for navigation and vehicle settings?
How do I use the Tesla chargers, superchargers or public chargers?
On DC fast charging on non-Tesla stations, such as FLO, ChargePoint or BC Hydro, you will need to sign up for these networks separately or use your own credit card to pay for charging. TRU does not yet have accounts set up for every network. With the prevalence of the supercharger network, drivers are not expected to need access to these charge stations.
Are there other Tesla videos?
Have a look at other Tesla-related how-to videos.
EV charging information
Learn how to use the charger for each vehicle.
