These days when it comes to getting around in big cities, owning a car is no longer necessary. From Zipcar to DriveNow, there are tons of easy ways to just jump in a car whenever you need to run an errand, take a day trip, or go shopping. The ease of car sharing coupled with public transportation proves a great alternative to owning a car. But now one company has taken eco-friendly transportation a step further in San Francisco, a hotbed of transportation innovation. Enter Scoot Networks, a new electric scooter sharing system that allows for ultimate mobility.

The service is simple. Use the smartphone app to locate one of the 50 electric scooters spread out around San Francisco. Each scooter has a smartphone dock. Place your smartphone in the dock to unlock the scooter and go for a ride. Your smartphone turns into a dashboard offering GPS and ride info. No reservations necessary. The only catch is training is required for all riders. Rental fees are $5 an hour, or $10 for flat rate overnight use, much less than any car rental program, and akin to renting a bike. Would you try Scoot Networks if it were available in your city?

Pope Benedict XVI made waves last year when he took a ride in the first green Popemobile, a Mercedes M-Class hybrid. Now His Holiness has gone a step further, with two fully electric vehicles designed and gifted by Renault. It’s not bad being the Pope. Renault made one car, based on the Kangoo maxi Z.E., specially for the Pope for travel at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo. The other gift is a blue, bulletproof version, to be used by the Corps of Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City for the Pope’s security.

The Pope has been dubbed “the green pope” for his efforts in implementing solar power throughout the Vatican. It’s a good example to set. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of the Renault Group said: “This donation to His Holiness is a means for Renault to reaffirm its strong and durable commitment to sustainable development and respect for the environment.” The biggest critique of electric vehicles has been their failure to drive extended distances without recharging the battery. In the tiny Vatican City it makes sense that these are the vehicles of choice. But as more and more companies perfect their electric vehicles, the driving range is quickly increasing. We hope to see in the not-so-distant future more people swapping their traditional tanks for an electric vehicle.