Electric carshare arrives on Buffalo’s East Side.

Welcome to Light City!

The Light City Carshare team unveils one of the program’s vehicles.

Launched on April 30, 2026 Light City Carshare is an electric vehicle carsharing system, bringing a convenient, affordable, sustainable, clean transportation option to Buffalo, starting on the East Side.

Established as part of the Clean Mobility Buffalo intiative—led by Local Initiatives Support Corp. – New York (LISC-NY) and supported by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) through the New York Clean Transportation Prizes Initiative—Light City Carshare operations are powered through a strategic partnership with the national electric vehicle co-op, ZEV, and built on their trusted technology platform.

The goal is straightforward: Connect people with 24/7 access to electric vehicles that not only get them where they need to go, but spark sustainable growth and power a shared vision for a cleaner, healthier, stronger community. One third of households on Buffalo’s East Side don’t have access to a car. Light City Carshare is addressing that head-on by expanding transportation options in neighborhoods that have been historically under-resourced.

As Bree-Ana Dukes, Light City’s Director of Internal Communications, asserts: ”Our team is not only committed to providing accessible, electric vehicle carsharing, but also identifying local residents to operate a community-controlled transportation system. Additionally, Light City is building pathways to worker ownership and economic prosperity.”

The road to launch.

Light City completed a successful beta program over the past several months, welcoming community insights, testing vehicles and system technologies, and collaboratively shaping member and driver experiences.

This beta phase was solid preparation for the next stage of this pilot program rollout in which three vehicles are being made available to the community. This builds the foundation for a partnership between Light City and the community that will drive the program forward.

An East Side resident and Light City beta user detailed their experience: “I haven’t had a car in years, and rely on the transit system. At first, I really wanted a ride to get groceries and take my two sons to Community Music School. But it gave me so much more flexibility. A few errands typically consume my entire day, but they only took a few hours with Light City!”

How does Light City work?

Light City Carshare is a membership-based program that anyone 21 years of age or older with a valid driver’s license and credit, debit, or prepaid card can join. Simply download the free ZEV app, register as a driver, complete a virtual or in-person orientation, and you’re ready to start booking Light City EVs!

Light City utilizes the ZEV smartphone app for managing vehicle reservations. Members can reserve a Light City EV by the hour or by the day for up to 24 hours per booking.

Rates are $5 per hour and $40 per day, with an additional charge of $0.45 per mile if you exceed 150 miles during a single reservation. Insurance, vehicle maintenance, and roadside assistance are all included in these rates. There are no annual membership fees, you pay the hourly or daily rate as you go.

Light City’s Director of External Communications Sinclair McGufffin shares a glimpse of the advantages Light City members can expect: “Electric vehicles are a great way to take care of everything from errands to getting to work. They’re kind to the environment, kind to your community. They’re also just a lot of fun to drive. And practically, we made Light City Carshare as easy to be a part of as possible.

Celebrating Light City Stations.

Light City Carshare is launching from three convenient East Side sites—Tri-Main Center at 2495 Main Street; Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology (BCAT) at 368 Sycamore Street; and True Bethel Baptist Church at 907 E Ferry Street. Each Light City Station is a dedicated parking space where your reserved vehicle is charged, with 24/7 access for pick-up and return.

We’re proud to grow Light City Carshare in partnership with these remarkable organizations, to connect the community with convenient, affordable, clean transportation options.

Where We’re Headed.

Building on the April 30 launch, together, we’re advancing a bold vision for Light City Carshare to evolve into an independent, community-owned transportation system—a vital part of the movement towards economic equity and, mobility justice for East Side Buffalo residents

Light City Carshare is a bright idea—a bolt of energy—a powerful way for everyone in Buffalo to get where we’re going. As Light City’s Sinclair McGuffin puts it, “Connection and opportunity is what Light City is all about. We’re building this meaningfully so shared equity brings a brighter future to Buffalo.”