Scope of Proposals

The Town of Mahone Bay is seeking a qualified consulting firm to analyze the business case for an EV carshare service on the south shore of Nova Scotia.

TERMS OF REFERENCE --------------------------------------------------------------

The Terms of Reference outlines the services required of the proponent in relation to the preparation of a framework for an EV Carshare service. 

Context

Many urban communities in Canada feature a variety of transportation options that can complement personal car ownership. Examples include public transportation, shared mobility services and micro-mobility options such as bikes and scooters. These transportation options are more limited in rural communities due to lower population density and greater travel distances between destinations, and this is particularly true in Atlantic Canada due to a lower cost of living. In rural east coast Canada, the ability to access affordable transportation options can directly impact an individual’s access to education, professional development opportunities, child-care and healthy food choices, and access is not shared equally. 

Carsharing is a model of car rental in which individuals have the option of using a car by the hour, with most of the costs of car ownership factored into the rental price, including insurance. In Canada, carshare models have largely been implemented in urban, affluent areas with a focus on internal combustion vehicles. EVs can be incorporated into these models and provide clean, reliable, affordable transportation and save families thousands of dollars. This evolution could allow more equitable access to clean transportation sources in rural communities in Atlantic Canada. 

The Town of Mahone Bay invites proposals from experienced and qualified contractors to deliver a business case report for an electric vehicle (EV) car share project that will become an accessible, affordable, safe and convenient, low-carbon transportation option.  The business case will be used to highlight the opportunity to potential car share operators.

The Town is seeking a contractor who has experience in researching, developing, operating and administering car-sharing services. Proposals should demonstrate the business case for an EV carshare program for this region and reflect the potential to develop an implementation plan so we can hit the road.

Project Background

The development of a car share program as a transportation option is highlighted in the Town of Mahone Bay’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Action Plan (2021), which contains 16 actions to support climate change mitigation including “Implement an Electric Vehicle Carshare and encourage vehicle electrification”.  There is also interest in addressing parking challenges and improving traffic by reducing the number of personal vehicles in town. To support residents and visitors to the south shore region, and provide additional context to potential carshare operators / transit partners, the geographic scope for this study is the Town of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia (population 1,064) and the surrounding Municipality of the District of Lunenburg (population 48,600).

In 2025, the Town of Mahone Bay received funding through the Rural Transportation Solutions Fund and the Low Carbon Communities program to develop an implementation plan for an EV carshare model. 

Work related to this Request for Proposals is to begin as soon as possible following the award of the contract. The successful applicant will work with Town staff to develop a business case/analysis for this project, based on the successful proposal. This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada. 

The Town of Mahone Bay’s goals for this project include: 

• Provide town and county residents and visitors with a roadmap to establishment of an affordable and accessible transportation option 
• Encourage the use of shared mobility options
• Encourage the use of EVs and PHEVs
• Reduce traffic congestion and parking demand
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Scope of Work

In order to build a framework for an EV carshare project, the Town is seeking a consultant to complete a business case for a regional electric vehicle carshare service centered on Mahone Bay, including a feasibility assessment and an implementation plan.

In phase 1, the proponent will complete a feasibility study to answer the following question: 

1. What is the most economical operational model for an EV carshare for Nova Scotia’s south shore? 

There are generally four recognized models for operating an EV car-share; hub-based round-trip, hub based one-way, free-floating, and hybrid models, as described below. 

• Hub-Based Round-Trip: A car share system that requires users to return the vehicle to a designated station or parking area to the same location.
• Hub-Based One-Way: A car share system that requires users to return the vehicle to any designated station or parking area.
• Free-Floating: A car share system that allows vehicles to be picked up and dropped off anywhere within a designated operating area.
• Hybrid: A car share system that combines one-way hub-based and free-floating system that allows a user to pick up and drop off in either a designated hub or operating area.

These models / combinations thereof serve as examples of what an EV car share program could look like on the south shore. 

Phase 1 Outcomes: Feasibility Assessment

• Regional demographic analysis, equity analysis and accessibility analysis
• Market analysis
• Peer systems analysis 
• Evaluation of potential operating models (including potential co-benefits with operation of rideshare or fixed route transit options)
• Evaluation of regional partnership opportunities
• Vehicle fleet assessment
• Ownership model analysis
• Recommended membership structures
• Estimates for viable membership and rates (market for membership rates vs. cost to run)
• Booking and payment services options
• Parking plan and vehicle maintenance schedules 
• Assessment of insurance and liabilities

In Phase 2 (which is optional, pending the results of Phase 1 and selection of a feasible operational model), the proponent will develop an implementation plan to answer the following question:

2. Under the selected model, what is the implementation plan for an EV carshare project that results in an accessible, affordable, safe and convenient, clean low-carbon transportation choice, supporting personal and environmental well-being. 

Phase 2 Outcomes: Pathways to Implementation

• Identification of project partners
• Integration plan with existing transportation services 
• Timelines and benchmarks
• Grant and funding opportunities

Milestones/Schedule 

This study is partly funded with a grant from the Nova Scotia Department of Energy. The draft report should be completed for ToMB staff review by July 31^st 2026.  Pursuant to grant requirements, final reporting by ToMB is due by August 28^th 2026.  

Additional Documents for Reference

For reference please find attached GHG reduction action plan and related studies.