Green Impact: New study reveals one shared car replaces ten
Are you tired of the high costs and environmental impact of owning a car? Luckily, there's a proven solution in town: peer-to-peer car sharing. According to a recent study, peer-to-peer car sharing is not only more cost-effective, but it is also directly responsible for taking cars off the road. In this post, we'll explore the findings of the study and what makes peer-to-peer car sharing such an eco-friendly mobility option.
Peer-to-peer car sharing sustainability: What's in it for the environment?
Car sharing is quickly becoming a popular alternative to owning private vehicles. But why? The study "Impact report: Car-sharing in Belgium in 2022” was conducted by various mobility experts and stakeholders and later recognized by the Shared-Use Mobility Center, a non-profit organization that promotes the advancement of shared mobility to improve transportation accessibility and sustainability. The study found that one shared car replaces ten private vehicles on the road, and that “car sharing enables citizens to live with no or fewer cars.” The study included peer-to-peer car sharing (or as the report references it “private car rental”) in their findings in contributing to vehicle reduction. This means that fewer cars are needed overall, which in turn reduces traffic congestion and air pollution, particularly in urban areas.
The data rings true for the U.S.-based peer-to-peer car sharers, as well. For many, sharing a car with travelers and neighbors is the perfect way to turn leisurely activities, like a walk or bike-ride, into money-making opportunities.
“I’ve been using Turo for more than 10 years and share my vehicle due to the fact that I rarely use my car,” said Himel Mallick, a New Jersey resident who shares his car on Turo. “I prefer my 15-minute walk to work and am able to frequently book the car out to guests for extra income.”
According to the report, car sharing has become an increasingly popular mode of transport in Belgium, with the number of registered car-sharing participants nearly tripling in the past four years. The report attributes this growth to the many benefits that car sharing provides, including lower costs, greater convenience, and reduced environmental impact.
But how exactly does peer-to-peer car sharing benefit the environment? Let's look at some of the other environmental benefits it offers.
The Environmental Benefits of Peer-to-peer car sharing
Sustainability starts with the small changes we can make to reduce our environmental impact. Here are just a few of the many ways that peer-to-peer car sharing helps protect and preserve our planet, according to the study:
Fewer cars: Sharing cars instead of owning them means fewer cars in circulation on the roads. This results in more green and open spaces, and allows for cleaner air.
Reduced drive time: Having peer-to-peer car-sharing vehicles available virtually anywhere through dispersed models means trips with empty mileage (such as, traveling to a location to gain access to a car and return it) are eliminated.
Encourages the use of more fuel-efficient vehicles: Participants of peer-to-peer car sharing often opt for cars that are more fuel efficient. This reduces the overall consumption of fuel and encourages the use of cars with lower emissions.
Likewise, peer-to-peer car sharing is a vital tool in the rapid expansion of electric vehicles in the United States. In fact, electric vehicle adoption on peer-to-peer platforms like Turo is growing faster than electric vehicle adoption in the United States. As of December 31, 2022, electric vehicles represented 7 percent of Turo vehicle listings, compared to under 2 percent of 2020 vehicle registrations in the United States, according to Fitch Solutions.
Support peer-to-peer car sharing revolution
Overall, the study provides a compelling case for the continued growth and development of the peer-to-peer car-sharing industry in Belgium and beyond. Peer-to-peer car sharing has the potential to play an increasingly important role in the worldwide mobility landscape in the years to come.
Of course there are challenges facing the peer-to-peer car-sharing industry, including the need for improved integration with travel hubs and greater awareness among potential participants and policymakers about the benefits. Partnerships between peer-to-peer car-sharing providers and transportation and policy leaders have the power to address these challenges.
For example, Turo has scores of airport partnerships in place across the U.S. and internationally that make peer-to-peer car sharing easier for participants. There are also dozens of state legislatures that have passed commonsense regulations that define peer-to-peer car sharing as a distinct industry. This important distinction further serves transportation needs, gives people a chance to off-set the high cost of car ownership, and reduces the demand for private cars thus lowering emissions.
The peer-to-peer car sharing community has long known that sharing cars is key to a greener world, and it's truly heartening to see this wisdom backed up by evidence. Join the movement and make a positive impact on the environment today!