How does the Sponti-Car work?
Registration
01
REGISTRATION
To ensure everything runs smoothly: Please the registration form fill out completely.
02
SCAN DRIVER'S LICENSE
A picture of your ID and, if you have one, also scan and insert the back side of the SwissPass.
03
GET ACCESS
After a short review (max. 48 hours) you will receive access to all vehicles.
🚗 General & Functionality
Learn everything über the Availability our Car-Sharing Hotline at Sponti-Car 055 264 10 00! 📞 Our Büro is open from Monday to Friday from 07:30 – 17:30 for you, to answer all inquiries and concerns regarding our Mobilitätsangebot. Additionally our Pikettdienst from 06:30 – 22:00 available, to help you with urgent Fällen, such as technical problems. Flexibilität and customer satisfaction are important to us – so that you stay safe and mobile at any time!
- Black (charging buffer before booking, e.g., 12:00)
- Black means that during this time the vehicle is charging to be ready for the next use. A booking is not possible in this phase, as the vehicle is storing energy for the next route during this time.
- Rot/Schwarz (z. B. 13:00)
- Red/black indicates that a booking is possible at this time, but with a reduced charging buffer. This means that the vehicle may not be fully charged when you use it. For short trips this may be sufficient, however the available range may be limited depending on the state of charge.
- Red (e.g., 14:00-16:00)
- Red means that the vehicle is already booked and not available during this period.
- Green
- Green indicates that the vehicle is free and can be booked without restrictions.
Charging time and short trips:
If you only want to drive a short distance (e.g., 10-20 km), the required charge for the vehicle is calculated automatically. This calculation is based on driving behavior and recent usage. You can see before booking whether the battery level is sufficient for your planned route.
Questions about delays (e.g., return later than planned):
If your return is delayed, please inform us as early as possible, our hotline number 055 264 10 00. This way we can take into account subsequent bookings. Should the vehicle be urgently needed for a subsequent booking, we will try to find a solution together.
1. Look for the small black box (the remote) on the windshield.
2. Hold your phone, your SwissPass or your Sponti- card up to the remote.
3. The remote recognizes the card or your phone, and the car will automatically open with a «klick»-sound.
The Sponti-Car can also be opened with the app:
HERE goes to the video.
- Open the Sponti-Car app
- Open booking
- Vehicle connects via Bluetooth
- Button for opening the vehicle becomes active.
We recommend trying the following trick:
- Enable airplane mode on phone
- Turn on Bluetooth and open car/bike
The Sponti-Car should be left as you would like to find it. If it is heavily soiled, document it with photos and send them to us by email. We will take care of it.
For particularly improper returns, a cleaning fee of up to CHF 250.00 may be incurred.
There are videos for the REGISTRATION, for BOOKING and the ID VERIFICATION.
All our further FAQ videos are HERE to find:
The comprehensive video about the Renault Zoe can be found HERE.
All videos are on our YouTube channel also available in English.
HERE goes to the video
Information on external charging costs with the Swisscharge card
In the driverüdoor shelf of each vehicle there is a green user manual with a Swisscharge-Ladekarte. This card enables charging at numerous Swisscharge partner charging stations. To find a suitable charging station, simply the Swisscharge-App download, the QR-Code scan the user manual with the phone camera, and the nearest charging station will be shown.
Bitte beachten Sie:
- Each use of the Swisscharge card lösts a paid charging out.
- The prices für charging are provider-dependent and change constantly. The prices können can be viewed in advance at ewz.
- The card is clearly marked with „Paid“ marked.
- The incurred charging fees are billed by us monthly retroactively.
Anyone who uses the Swisscharge card accepts the incurred charging costs. Please therefore handle the card responsibly and use it only if you agree with the billing of the charging fees.
In the vehicle's central console there is a charging card or a key badge. Hold this against the charging station after connecting the cable to the vehicle to start the charging process. The video can be found here.
If this is not completed, a fee of CHF 50.00 may apply.
When the cable is connected to the vehicle, the ZE sign blinks orange first, after activation the sign lights continuously blue. On the dashboard it shows an hourglass with the charging time.
Make sure you access the app, and try restarting it. If this does not work, then call our hotline at 055 264 10 00 . We are happy to help you.
To activate the SwissPass, you can send us the S…Nr. of the back side to the following address: info@sponti-car.ch.
Important:
- If you receive a new SwissPass receive, please send us a photo of the back side of the SwissPass.
- We need the printed Code, to read it again and update the authorization.
Only with an updated SwissPass can you conveniently and reliably open the Sponti car vehicles. If you have any questions, we are happy to assist you!
Our terms and conditions can be found here.
Why do I need to upload my Führerschein and a selfie? The ID-Check serves to protect all users. Due to the strong increase of Identitätsdiebstählen in Switzerland (über 8’100 Fälle last year according to SRF) we want to prevent Betrüger with stolen IDs from booking cars with us. The check is an important security measure.
How does the ID check work exactly? You photograph your driver's license and take a short live selfie directly in the app. Stripe then compares your face in real time with the photo on the ID. It is a secure biometric live check – not a simple image upload.
Are my data safe with Stripe? Yes. Stripe is an internationally leading and very secure provider for identity and payment checks. We do not store ID photos with us. The entire verification process is encrypted and privacy‑compliant (DSG‑compliant).
Why is the check mandatory for all customers? A lax check would make the system insecure. We want to provide fair and safe car-sharing for everyone. Therefore we only accept verified users.
How long does the ID-Check take? In most cases only a few minutes. The analog version by post takes a bit longer (approx. 3–7 business days).
I have concerns or technical problems with the check. What can I do? No problem. Our support is happy to help you persönlich further – by phone or e-mail. Many customers complete the check only with our Unterstützung.
Yes. We offer a fully analog variant: you have your ID verified at a post office (with stamp). You send the stamped proof to us by post. Afterwards your account is unlocked – without Stripe and without selfie.
💰 Costs & Billing
The prices for the Sponti-Car vary depending on location and vehicle type. However, we always charge by time, not by kilometers traveled. To find out the exact costs, click on your desired «Location».
When using our car-sharing service, you will receive two e-mails regarding your billing:
Ride details (delivery note):
After completing your ride we will send you an email with a detailed Üoverview of the incurred costs, including the travel times and any additional üfees. This Üoverview serves as a guide and corresponds to a type of delivery note.Invoice:
The actual invoice is sent separately üvia our accounting system Bexio. This äcontains the official payment slip as well as a practical link, üthrough which you can make the payment easily by credit card or TWINT can be made.
Late return of the vehicle
Please note that when returning the vehicle more than 15 minutes after the agreed time a penalty fee of CHF 12.- applies. Additionally, the usage time incurred for the delay is calculated separately and invoiced.
Payment deadline and reminder fees
The invoice is payable within 30 days from the invoice date. Should we not receive a payment within this period, a reminder fee of CHF 30.- will be charged.
For questions regarding billing or payment, we are happy to assist you at info@sponti-car.ch .
For bookings with a credit card, the amount for the reserved ride is initially on your card authorized (i.e., temporarily blocked). This authorization serves as security, but not charged immediately.
If you cancel the ride, the authorization is immediately lifted on our side. However, depending on the credit card provider or bank, it can take up to 48 hours, until the blocked amount is fully released and becomes available to you.
We ask for your understanding that this process depends on your bank or credit card institution and is outside our control.
The email you receive after the end of the ride serves only as preliminary price overview. In individual cases this amount may slightly differ from the later invoice amount.
The effective invoice amount is always binding, which is shown on the monthly statement at the end of the month.
Please return the vehicle on time and clean back.
If you are delayed, inform us immediately so we can notify the next user in time.
Late returns without notice can lead to additional fees (starting from CHF 12.–) .
Also make sure that the vehicle after your ride
to the connected to the charging station is,
is loaded, and
clean will be handed over.
If the vehicle is not charged or heavily soiled when returned, can penalty fees (from CHF 50.– or CHF 250.–) apply.
With consideration and care you help ensure that all users have a pleasant driving experience.
The first Sponti card is free. It can be ordered from us via e‑mail.
In case of loss of the card we will issue you a replacement card for CHF 10.00 (excl. VAT).
The card will be sent by mail.
The Sponti-Car mobility solution starts indicative from CHF 8`333.33/year (Car-Sharing) or from CHF 2`695.30/year (Bike-Sharing). The exact price depends, among other things, on vehicle count, service level and duration.
🧭 Locations & Use
Sponti-Car operates over 60 locations throughout Switzerland – including rural and suburban areas and Romandy.
Sponti-Car permits trips abroad only to those countries for which the existing insurance coverage applies. This includes, in addition to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, the following states:
Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary as well as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Restrictions on travel warnings
If the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (EDA) advises against traveling to any of the aforementioned countries, trips with Sponti Car vehicles to that country are excluded, even if they are generally insured.
Customer responsibility
The responsibility for complying with the applicable traffic regulations, legal provisions and vehicle equipment requirements in the destination country lies entirely with the customer. This includes, among other things, mandatory winter tires, safety vests, spare bulbs, or other country-specific requirements.
Chargeable road usage abroad
Fees incurred abroad – such as tolls, environmental stickers, highway vignettes or other road usage fees – must be borne by the customer themselves. A refund by Sponti-Car is not possible.
Special regulation for customers residing abroad
Customers residing outside Switzerland may drive a vehicle booked with Sponti-Car exclusively within Switzerland. It is their responsibility to independently inform themselves with the relevant customs authorities about the legal regulations applicable to them.
Further info: Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.
Yes, this is possible with most EU driving licences. More information can be found here.
The car, for example, is booked by another person until 15:00. When can I book the car again? Before each booking our system schedules a buffer time for minor delays in the return as well as for charging the battery. Normally this is 60 min. However, if you want to drive a very long distance, you can set the km regulator to 200 km, after which the buffer time is extended to 120 min.
- Please mark the orange area with an arrow
- Please mark km selection
To ensure that our vehicles are ready for use and fully charged, we have in our booking system a Lock period of 1 hour set between two consecutive bookings. This time serves to ensure that the vehicle after use is returned, charged, and prepared for the next deployment.
Why is there this lockout period?
- Ensure vehicle availability: We want to avoid that a vehicle for the next customer is not ready.
- Guarantee charging time: Especially for electric vehicles it is important that sufficient charging time is scheduled to ensure smooth usage.
Can the lockout period be adjusted?
Yes, our system allows you to übersteuern and make a booking directly following a previous one. However, you should be aware that this is associated with a risk :
- The vehicle might not be on site in time.
- The battery might possibly not be sufficiently charged.
If you use this option, the responsibility for using the vehicle as planned lies with you. Therefore, we recommend only overriding the lockout period in exceptional cases.
Our recommendation
To ensure smooth usage and avoid possible inconveniences, we ask you to consider the lock time of 1 hour in your booking process. This way we together ensure that your vehicle is ready and you can drive off relaxed.
If you have any questions about our booking system, we are happy to assist you. We are pleased to be able to offer you a reliable and flexible mobility solution!
Attention! The desired booking time is too close to another booking. The loading buffer of this vehicle is therefore shortened.
Means: We include a 1 hour buffer time between bookings so that the battery can be recharged a bit, or to avoid inconveniences caused by the previous customer's delay. You can bypass this buffer time by pressing «Understood!».
We would like to draw your attention to the fact that a reduction of the booked time for Sponti-Car vehicles must be made at the latest 60 minutes before the start of the ride. As soon as you have completed a booking, the vehicle is reserved exclusively for you and is not available to other users during the entire booked period.
For illustration, a short example: Mr. Müller reserves a Sponti-Car for six hours. Ms. Meier would also like to use the vehicle, but discovers that it has already been reserved by Mr. Müller. You therefore find an alternative solution. If Mr. Müller returns earlier, the remaining hours could not be transferred to Ms. Meier, as she has made other arrangements due to the lack of availability.
This regulation ensures that vehicle availability for all customers remains fair and reliable. Thank you for your understanding.
Online registration, ID verification (up to 48 hrs), book a vehicle, then vehicles via app or SwissPass öffnen.
🌿 Insurance & Security
Registered users and persons who live in the same household and have a valid driver's license are allowed to drive the Sponti-Car.
In case of accidents, damages and speed violations, the registered user, in whose name the booking was made, is liable.
All costs for the booking and any resulting damages or fines are charged only to the person who made the reservation. Separate billing to additional persons is excluded.
Our Sponti-Car’s are insured with liability coverage by Zurich Insurance. In the event of damage you are only liable for the deductible, the rest is the insurance's responsibility.
In principle, one distinguishes between self-inflicted fault and damage caused by external influence:
- Own fault: e.g. curb edge scraped, wheel rim damaged, accident caused by oneself → Is über comprehensive insurance settled. A deductible applies.
- External influence: e.g. stone chip, nail in tire, parking damage by unknown vehicle → Usually covered by partial or comprehensive insurance. A deductible also applies here.
茶 Important:
Please report every damage – regardless of whether small or large – immediately via the app or our hotline. Unreported damages may otherwise be assigned to you.
You will find details here in the terms and conditions.
HERE goes to the video
Accidents can unfortunately happen – the important thing is that you react correctly in an emergency. Here are the steps you should definitely follow:
Safety comes first: First secure the accident site. Place the warning triangle, turn on the hazard lights and put on your safety vest to protect yourself and others.
Provide first aid: Überprüfe, whether there are injured persons, and provide first aid if necessary. Contact emergency services (112) and describe the accident location and the situation as accurately as possible.
Document the accident: Document the accident with photos and note all relevant information (license plates, parties involved, witnesses etc.). Fülle the European accident report, if available.
Call roadside assistance: Contact our Europe-wide roadside assistance at the number 0844 827 827. We are there for you and arrange everything else. Alternatively you can reach us during office hours (07:30 – 17:30) at the office on the number: 055 26410 00 reach.
Report the damage: Inform us as quickly as possible about the accident, so that we can plan the next steps together.
Your safety is important to us – thank you for traveling with Sponti-Car!
My costs in case of accident
Deductible for damage to the Sponti-Car = CHF 1’000.00
Deductible for damage to third‑party vehicle = CHF 1’000.00
e.g. I cause damage to the Sponti-Car, then I pay a deductible of CHF 1’000.00. If another vehicle is damaged, I pay 2x a deductible of CHF 1’000.00.
A tip for your safety: It is worth considering taking out a daily insurance, which you can book via the confirmation email.
Deductible for damage to the Sponti-Car = CHF 1’000.00
Deductible for damage to third‑party vehicle = CHF 1’000.00
e.g. I cause damage to the Sponti-Car, then I pay a deductible of CHF 1’000.00. If another vehicle is damaged, I pay 2x a deductible of CHF 1’000.00.
A tip for your safety: It is worth considering taking out a daily insurance, which you can book via the confirmation email.
Yes, we offer you the Möglichkeit to reduce the deductible through a daily insurance to reduce. Für CHF 9.90 per day you can take out an insurance that the deductible of up to CHF 3’000.- fully eliminated. This means that you do not have to pay any deductible in case of vehicle damage.
How do I book the daily insurance?
The daily insurance can über the link in the booking confirmation E-Mail be booked. As soon as your booking is confirmed, you will receive an email with all details of your ride as well as the link to insure the booking.
Why is the daily insurance worthwhile?
- Maximum coverage: No financial Üsurprises in case of damage.
- Low costs: Für only CHF 9.90 per day you are vollständig insured.
- Flexibilität: The insurance can be added individually with each booking.
Please note that the daily insurance only before the start of the ride can be booked. A subsequent booking is not möglich.
💡More frequently asked questions
If your municipality does not yet have a Sponti-Car or Sponti-Bike has, du es aber gern nutzen würdest, then please call us at 0552641000 an or write us an email at info@sponti-car.ch . Gerne können we then together the municipality contact to find a Lösung.
Yes, you can! Take a look here at our Dynamic-Lease offers.
In all Sponti-Cars you will find the Insofix-Vorrichtung, to provide optimal safety and Stabilität für the child seat gewährleisten zu können.
Attention: The Isofix station as well as the child seat are not provided by Sponti-Car, but must be brought by yourself.
Training drives with all vehicles that Sponti-Car provides are legally prohibited. This is because the electronic handbrake is disengaged by pressing the accelerator pedal. As a result, the accompanying person cannot physically intervene in an emergency.
Detailed information on this in the leaflet of the St. Gallen Road Traffic Office.
If you have a Gmail account, please deactivate the filtering to receive mails from the Sponti-Car app:
In the settings there is in the menu item „Inbox“ at the very bottom the entry „Filtered E‑mails“ .
This function is not enabled by default and is set to „filter not ignore“.
As soon as the function is activated and set to „Filter ignorieren“ has been changed, the further emails will also be delivered.
Settings > Inbox > Filtered Emails > Ignore Filters
Focus on rural‑suburban municipalities, no user‑base fee, combination of Car‑ & Bike‑Sharing plus charging solutions (and partially village shuttle), local partner‑garages for vehicle maintenance as well as climate‑positive concept.
With the Sponti-Car voucher you give away sustainable mobility and joy on four wheels.
You can easily order the voucher online at www.sponti-car.ch/gutschein and tell us your desired amount (minimum order value 20 CHF, plus 10 CHF shipping costs).
The voucher is sent by mail and can be redeemed during registration or in the user account – for every ride with Sponti-Car.
It is valid for two years and the ideal gift for everyone who wants to travel flexibly, consciously and communally.
