Long-term rental instead of downtime: When mobility is needed immediately

Whether it's an individual case, a nursing home, a social services center, or a workshop for people with disabilities—wherever people depend on barrier-free mobility, the question always arises: buy or rent? With long-term rental, PARAVAN GmbH offers a flexible, predictable, and service-oriented alternative to purchasing a vehicle—tailored to the personal circumstances, medical conditions, and mobility needs of users, and available exactly when mobility is needed immediately.

‘Mobility is a key factor in achieving independence and laying the foundation for building a life of your own, particularly for young adults who are studying or in training,’ explains Thomas Minde, mobility consultant at PARAVAN. ‘For many, long-term rental is an important way to bridge the gap while waiting for approvals, providing reliable technology and a full service.’ Whether as a stopgap or a temporary solution for institutions, long-term rental keeps customers mobile.

Models available for rental include the Peugeot Traveller with rear entry and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter in various conversion variants, including passenger, co-driver and group options. Important: Long-term rental must also be approved by the respective cost bearer as an interim solution.

Mobility opens up new avenues

Benjamin, who is now 39 years old, has been in a wheelchair since he was 15. After passing his driving test at the PARAVAN driving school in December 2008, he realized that mobility was the key to his independence. He began his mobile life in 2010 with a rental vehicle while still in school. By 2016, he had driven over 250,000 kilometers in a silver Mercedes Viano — to university, to see friends, and to appointments. "For the first time, I was sitting in the driver's seat instead of the back seat," he recalls. "I started the engine — I'm driving. I'm in control. I'm independent.” A big change came in 2014 with a job offer. He applied to the employment agency and, finally, in February 2015, received approval for his own vehicle. 

"The job opened the door to car ownership for me," he says in retrospect. He bridged the gap with a rental car until the vehicle was handed over in May 2016. Since then, he has been independently mobile with his own vehicle and is now on his second one. "You're flexible and not dependent on others," he says, describing the advantages. What would have happened without the rental solution? "Spontaneous trips would have been nearly impossible. Many things could be planned, but not spontaneously."

Para table tennis player Jana Spegel has different needs. The 22-year-old studies medical technology and trains with the national team. Due to her muscular disorder, her previous VW T5 was no longer safe to drive. Since the summer, she has been able to get around independently again thanks to a rental vehicle — a Chrysler Pacifica with Space Drive. With individually adapted joystick controls, a cassette lift, and a special restraint system, she can drive her wheelchair right up to the steering wheel. "It's working really well now," she said after the TÜV inspection and her first 4,000 kilometers. "Mobility is the basis for everything."

The rental vehicle is also indispensable for Hannah, who is 29 years old. She has been using it for almost a year. She is studying pharmaceutical biotechnology at two locations and is currently completing an internship in preparation for her master's thesis, which includes on-site laboratory work. Without a car, getting there would not have been possible. The wheelchair taxi lacked the necessary equipment for gentle transport and was expensive. "Flexibility is extremely important to me — after all, lab work doesn't stick to a schedule." Her rental vehicle, a Mercedes Sprinter, is equipped with Space Drive technology, a joystick steering system, a gas-brake slider, a camera system, and a customized seat belt system. She uses a transfer console to move from her wheelchair to the original seat. "For me, the car means participation. I can pursue my hobbies again and finish my studies on my own terms — that's the greatest gift.” She has now driven almost 20,000 kilometers.

Get quick help when you urgently need mobility

Sometimes, the need for mobility cannot be postponed, whether due to getting your driver's license, starting your career, being a student, or an unexpected breakdown of your existing vehicle. For these situations, PARAVAN's long-term rental service can be a valuable solution, offering vehicles that are individually adapted, modernly equipped, and available at short notice for rental periods of four weeks or more. This solution opens up new possibilities for people who are on their way to a self-determined life: independent, flexible, and close to everyday life. This option also benefits social institutions that are currently unable to make new investments.

PARAVAN's mobility consultants support their customers personally, from the initial idea to the vehicle handover. Sometimes, this support is the decisive step needed to transition to independent mobility.

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