Gallery: Getaround revs up Portland launch

Getaround celebrated its Portland launch Wednesday, presenting Mayor Sam Adams with an oversize replica of its mobile app.

The Getaround Tesla will spend an unspecified amount of time in Portland and be available for rent by anyone who uses the service.

Getaround CEO and co-founder Sam Zaid said the Federal Highway Administration-funded study on car sharing will catalyze the practice across the country.

Mayor Sam Adams said Getaround's car-sharing service will save Portlanders money.

Former Oregon State Representative Ben Cannon, left, was instrumental in getting legislation passed in Oregon last year that makes car sharing legal. U.S. Rep. Earl Bumenauer, D-Portland, has been advocating for car sharing at the federal level.

Rep. Blumenauer applauded the new transportation option provided by peer-to-peer car sharing. "We're not declaring war on the automobile, but we've decided that we're not going to surrender to the automobile," he said.

And, yes. A ribbon was cut.

Portland is Getaround's first market outside of California.