LEWISTON - For $7, a new Toyota Prius can be yours. Gas, insurance and a prime Bates College parking space thrown in.

Just remember to bring the car back when you're done.

Zipcar, a car-sharing company that offers self-service, on-demand cars by the hour or day, has set up its first Maine location in Lewiston. Starting this week, it will offer two Prius hybrids at the college's Franklin Street parking lot.

Students, faculty or community members - basically anyone in the area - can sign up online, reserve a car and take it away.

"I'm definitely interested," said Besir Ceka, a Bates senior who can't afford a car of his own. He and a friend eyed a silver Prius parked in the commons to promote the program. "We like that it's available to us, first of all. It hasn't been until now. We can move around more now."

Keith Tannenbaum, Bates' assistant dean of students, approached Zipcar earlier this year. He'd seen a flier for the company while vacationing out-of-state.

Tannenbaum liked the idea of community cars to ease the college's parking problems, help students get around and cut down on pollution.

"It sends the right message," he said. "And of course, they're nice cars."

Zipcar has had cars on college campuses for years, but it only allowed people 21 and older to rent. Recently, it lowered that age requirement to 18.

Zipcar didn't have any locations in Maine. Bates, with its city location and 1,700 students, seemed like a good place to start.

On Thursday, Zipcar representatives showed up with two new four-door hybrids, one in silver and one in blue. By early afternoon, 10 students and two faculty members had signed up. Another 40 people took membership cards with the ability to sign up online.

With representatives set to be on campus for a few hours today, Zipcar shipped another 100 cards overnight express.

"Based on our experience with other colleges, it will be very popular," said Adam Brophy, director of business development for Zipcar. "We should have over 100 members in the very near future."

The shiny silver Prius, parked next to the bike rack in the commons, pulled people to the Zipcar information table. Passers-by - professors, students and parents with students-to-be - "oohed" over the magnetized keyless entry and "aahed" over the gas card included in the rental fee. They inhaled the new-car smell and exclaimed gleefully at the dashboard computer panel with rearview camera.

"Oh, look!" said biology professor Karen Palin, as vivid screen came to life. "That's great."

Zipcar members reserve their cars online and unlock the vehicles using their magnetized membership card. The car's "key" - really more of a plug - is tethered to the ignition. A free gas card is stationed above the driver-side visor, and drivers are asked to return cars with at least one-quarter of a tank of fuel.

Zipcar members must have a good driving record and must back up their membership with a valid credit card. Membership is $35 a year, and includes fuel, insurance and five hours of driving. Each additional hour costs $7. A day costs $55, and there is a four-day limit.

Going to be late? Drivers can call and extend their reservation. If they don't, it's a $25-an- hour late fee.

Drivers get 180 free miles a day, with extra miles at 35 cents each.

If the Bates cars prove popular enough, Zipcar has promised to add more. It's already looking at two other locations in Maine.

Bates, which is trying to limit its pollution, has also added 10 community bikes that people can borrow for $10 each.

But the cars were the attraction Thursday.

"I love it," said biology professor Lee Abrahamsen. "Maybe I should just rent it and drive it around."

FMI: www.zipcar.com/bates

Bates College's Zipcar location: Across from Chase Hall, the Franklin Street parking lot located behind the first house on the corner of Franklin and Campus Avenue.