Overview

• Since 2024 Miles vehicles have been fitted with particulate sensors that detect cigarette, e-cigarette or other smoke after 30 seconds and record GPS coordinates.
• The company automatically charges €100 per detected smoke event by debiting users’ accounts without prior warning.
• A growing number of customers who identify as non-smokers report being fined after alleged false positives linked to factors such as polluted air or residual odors.
• Legal experts advise users to lodge written appeals, collect witness statements when available and pursue court action if Miles rejects their objections.
• Other German car-sharing operators vary in their approach: Cambio and Sixt use no automated detectors, while Flinkster warns that optional smoke-detection modules may be installed.