-min.svg)
In times of crisis, mobility is more than just a convenience, it’s a necessity. When Valencia, Spain, was hit by catastrophic flash floods in October 2024, thousands of residents lost their vehicles, leaving them struggling to commute to work, access medical services, and rebuild their lives. Torrential rains overwhelmed drainage systems, turning streets into rivers and submerging entire neighborhoods. The disaster claimed over 220 lives, destroyed more than 100,000 vehicles, and left critical infrastructure in ruins.
Recognising the urgent need for affordable and accessible transport, RecordGo stepped in with a solution. The company launched a subsidised car subscription programme, offering residents an easy, cost-effective way to regain mobility. This initiative demonstrates how technology, partnerships, and rapid action can help restore normality to a city in crisis and highlights the potential for car subscriptions to play a crucial role in future disaster responses.
The floods that struck Valencia were the most severe the city had seen in decades, bringing entire neighborhoods to a standstill. Torrential rains overwhelmed the region, turning streets into rivers and submerging homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. Roads were rendered impassable, railway lines were disrupted, and public transport systems ground to a halt. The city’s mobility network was thrown into chaos, leaving residents stranded and exacerbating an already dire situation.
The loss of personal vehicles was a devastating blow to thousands of families. Over 100,000 cars were damaged or destroyed, with 40,000 deemed irreparable. For many, these vehicles were not just a means of transportation but a vital link to their livelihoods, education, and healthcare. The lack of mobility threatened to extend the disaster’s impact for months, slowing recovery efforts and leaving the city in a state of isolation.
With 40,000 vehicles deemed irreparable, the crisis was far from over. The lack of mobility threatened to extend the disaster's impact for months, leaving residents stranded and delaying economic recovery. It was clear that a fast, flexible transport solution was essential.
Recognising the scale of the problem, RecordGo acted swiftly to provide a transport solution that was not only affordable but also scalable and easy to access. Traditional car rental models, with their high upfront costs and rigid terms, were ill-suited to the urgent needs of flood-affected residents. Instead, RecordGo launched a subsidised car subscription program specifically designed to help Valencia’s residents regain their mobility without the financial strain of immediate car ownership or expensive rentals.
Through strategic partnerships with key automotive and energy providers, RecordGo secured 300 OMODA 5s, making them available at a highly subsidised rate of just €249 per month (VAT included). This all-inclusive fee covered insurance, maintenance, and road tax. To further ease the financial burden, each subscription came with a €100 fuel allowance, provided in partnership with Repsol, one of Spain’s leading energy companies.
The program was designed to offer more than just temporary relief, it provided a longer-term mobility solution that allowed people to rebuild their lives without the stress of high upfront costs or long-term commitments. For many residents, this meant being able to commute to work, take children to school, or access medical services without worrying about affordability or logistics.
For this to work seamlessly, RecordGo needed a fully digital booking and management system that would make the process as efficient and user-friendly as possible while minimising the impact to their already busy rental operations. That’s where Tomorrow’s Journey came in.
To make the program as seamless and accessible as possible, RecordGo turned to their already partner, Tomorrow’s Journey. Leveraging an existing platform already in development for the Spanish market, Tomorrow’s Journey was able to quickly adapt and launch the system within weeks. This rapid deployment ensured that flood-affected residents could apply, get verified, and access a vehicle as quickly as possible, without the delays typically associated with traditional processes.
The platform was designed to eliminate time-consuming manual tasks, enabling users to complete the entire booking process online. From ID verification to contract signing, everything was handled digitally, minimising paperwork and making it easier for residents to secure a vehicle without the need to visit a physical office or call.
By adopting a digital-first approach, the program removed traditional barriers to getting in a car, such as lengthy paperwork, in-person visits, and complex approval processes. This allowed flood-affected residents to secure transport quickly and efficiently, giving them one less thing to worry about during an already challenging time.
This initiative highlights how car rental companies, technology providers, and flexible mobility solutions like subscriptions can play a critical role in responding to crises. While disaster relief efforts have historically focused on providing essentials such as food, shelter, and medical care, mobility is an often-overlooked necessity that can determine how quickly a community recovers. Without access to transportation, individuals struggle to rebuild their lives, access critical services, and contribute to the broader recovery effort.
By adapting existing car subscription models, RecordGo’s program sets a blueprint for how the automotive industry can respond to future disasters. It proves that fast, flexible, and affordable transport solutions can be rolled out at scale to help those in need, offering a lifeline to communities in their most vulnerable moments. This approach not only addresses immediate mobility challenges but also provides a sustainable, longer-term solution for individuals and families as they work to regain stability.
RecordGo’s initiative demonstrates that mobility is not just a convenience but a cornerstone of disaster recovery. By integrating technology, flexibility, and collaboration, this model offers a forward-thinking approach to crisis response—one that can be adapted and scaled to meet the needs of communities around the globe. As climate change and other factors increase the frequency and severity of disasters, innovative solutions like this will be essential in building resilient, adaptable societies.
RecordGo’s swift response to Valencia’s floods demonstrates that mobility providers can do more than simply rent cars - they can play an active role in disaster recovery. By leveraging technology, strategic partnerships, and new models like car subscription, RecordGo delivered real-world impact when it mattered most.
By combining flexibility, innovation, and purpose-driven action, RecordGo and Tomorrow’s Journey have created a mobility solution that goes beyond convenience. It’s a model that delivers meaningful change when it matters most. This is automotive collaboration with purpose.
Find out more about this offer or share it with someone who might be eligible here.
