Evo vs Modo: Which is Cheaper?
Comparing Vancouver's two most popular car share services to help you choose the right one for your needs.
Quick Summary
Choose Evo if:
- ✓You need one-way trips (park anywhere in the Home Zone)
- ✓Short, spontaneous city hops (10-30 minutes)
- ✓High-distance trips (unlimited km included)
- ✓You want no recurring fees (true pay-per-use)
- ✓Errand chains where you park once and end the trip
Choose Modo if:
- ✓Multi-hour trips with lots of parked time
- ✓Full-day or multi-day rentals with moderate distance
- ✓You need a specific vehicle type (truck, van, EV)
- ✓Repeated monthly use (fees amortize over trips)
- ✓Trips where the car sits parked (brunch, hiking)
Membership & Fee Comparison
| Fee Type | Evo | Modo Plus | Modo Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront / Share Purchase | $0 | $500.00(refundable when you leave) | $0 |
| Recurring Admin Fee | None | $1.00/year | $6.00/month |
| Per-Trip Fee | ~$1 "all access" fee | $1.00 (EV) / $3.00 (non-EV) | $1.00 (EV) / $3.00 (non-EV) |
| Billing Basis | Per minute only | Per hour + per km | Per hour + per km |
Rate Comparison (Daily Drive / Compact)
| Rate Type | Evo | Modo Plus | Modo Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per Minute | $0.49(up to ~36 min) | N/A | N/A |
| Hourly Rate | ~$17.99(caps after ~36 min) | $6.00–$10/hr(varies by vehicle) | $6.00–$11/hr(varies by vehicle) |
| Daily Cap | ~$104.99 | $100–$135/day | $100–$135/day |
| Per-km Cost | $0 (unlimited) | $0.40/km first 25kmthen $0.28/km | ~$0.35/km(similar tiered structure) |
| Daily Km Included | Unlimited | 250–500 km(varies by vehicle) | 250–500 km(varies by vehicle) |
Note: Modo also charges a small fuel surcharge (~$0.01/km for each $0.10/L gas is above $2.10/L). EVs are exempt.
When Evo is Cheaper
Evo generally wins when time is the main factor and distance is modest, and when you value one-way flexibility:
- →Short city hops (10-30 minutes, under ~15 km) — Evo's per-minute billing is efficient for quick errands
- →Errand chains — Park once and end the trip, not keeping the car sitting idle
- →Medium trips with high distance (e.g., highway drive with few stops) — no per-km charge makes Evo shine
- →No recurring fees — True pay-per-use with almost no fixed cost
Example: 25-minute cross-town drive (12 km)
For many quick city trips, Evo comes out similar or slightly cheaper, and you avoid membership fees.
When Modo is Cheaper
Modo tends to win when time is long but distance is moderate, especially if you do regular longer trips:
- →Multi-hour trips with parking (brunch, hiking, visiting people) — Evo's per-minute clock racks up cost while parked
- →Full-day or multi-day rentals with moderate distance — Modo's daily caps and included km are efficient
- →Repeated monthly use — The $6/month (Modo Monthly) or lower hourly rates (Modo Plus) pay off over time
- →Specialty vehicles — Need a truck, van, or cargo vehicle? Modo has options
Example: 5-hour hiking trip (80 km round trip)
In scenarios with lots of "parked time", Modo's hour+km structure is more forgiving than Evo's pure time billing.
Cost by Trip Type
30-Minute City Errand (8 km)
Evo wins for quick trips due to no membership fees.
2-Hour North Van Hike (40 km round trip)
Modo wins when car sits parked while you hike.
Full Day Trip to Squamish (220 km round trip)
For high-distance day trips, Evo's unlimited km is a big advantage.
5-Hour Day with Friends (50 km, lots of parked time)
Modo's hour+km structure beats Evo's time billing when parked for extended periods.
Key Differences
| Feature | Evo | Modo |
|---|---|---|
| Trip Type | One-way, free-floating within home zone | Round-trip (return to same location) |
| Vehicle Types | Toyota Prius C, Prius only | Cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, EVs |
| Reservations | Not required (grab & go) | Required (book in advance) |
| Upfront Cost | $0 (free with promo) | $0–$500 (Plus plan share is refundable) |
| Monthly Fees | None | $1/year (Plus) or $6/month (Monthly) |
| Gas/Charging | Included | Included |
| Insurance | Included | Included |
| Parking | Most city parking included | Approved spots included |
| Service Area | Vancouver Home Zone | Fixed locations across BC |
How to Choose for Your Use Case
Mostly short, spontaneous city drives? → Lean Evo and skip Modo entirely. No fixed fees, grab-and-go flexibility.
Routinely do half-day or full-day outings (hikes, Squamish, Fraser Valley)? → Consider adding Modo:
• Modo Plus: Best if you're comfortable tying up $500 (refundable) and drive regularly. Lower per-trip costs.
• Modo Monthly: Best if you prefer no large upfront outlay and use it a few times a month.
Need both flexibility AND longer trips? → Having both memberships can make sense. Use Evo for quick errands and Modo for day trips.
Want to calculate your exact Evo trip cost?
Use the Evo Rate Calculator