What are the pros and cons of using EV car sharing schemes?

Welcome to The Switch, Euronews Next’s new mobility series for people considering making the switch to an EV.

As the pace of electrification quickens amid a growing climate crisis and an uncertain economic outlook, we’ll be your companion as you make the transition from your fossil-fuelled car to electric. 

Each week, we’ll offer guidance and insights from industry experts as well as aim to demystify the process and dispel misinformation.

Electric vehicle (EV) car sharing services are gaining traction across Europe, offering an easy way for consumers to try electric mobility without committing to ownership. 

Designed to promote EV adoption and ease urban congestion, these schemes provide flexibility for a host of users, ranging from urban dwellers to tourists. Car sharing services, like Zipcar or Share Now, cater to those needing a car for short city trips, often allowing rentals by the minute, hour, or day through an app.  

Vehicles can be easily picked up and dropped off at multiple convenient locations, making them ideal for short-term rentals, whether you need them for just a few hours or an entire day. 

In contrast, traditional rental companies like Hertz or Enterprise offer EVs for longer durations, typically for holidays or a weekend away.

Who are EV car sharing schemes aimed at?

EV car sharing schemes are particularly appealing to city dwellers, offering access to vehicles without the usual burdens of ownership, such as maintenance, insurance, or parking. 

These services are ideal for those who need the occasional use of a car and want a more sustainable alternative to traditional vehicles. 

EV car sharing programmes can also help bridge the mobility gap as a transport solution for individuals on lower incomes who may not be able to afford a personal car. 

Tourists also benefit using EV car sharing as an eco-friendly way to explore cities while students find the flexibility and convenience ideal, as they may only require a car occasionally for errands or trips. 

For potential electric car buyers, these services are a great opportunity to test-drive EVs before committing to a purchase, allowing them to experience the benefits of electric driving first-hand.

What EV car sharing schemes are there in Europe?

There are plenty of successful car sharing schemes across Europe and beyond, with some exclusively offering electric vehicles while others integrate EVs into mixed fleets.

Share Now operates in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain on a pay-as-you-go model through a mobile app and available EVs include popular models like the Fiat 500e, Peugeot e-208, and Opel Corsa-e. 

In Madrid and Milan, Zity offers a fully electric fleet, allowing users to opt for 100 per cent green transport. 

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Meanwhile, Green Mobility, based in the Danish cities of Copenhagen and Aarhus, focuses on renting both electric cars and vans. 

Ireland’s GoCar service offers a mix of traditional and electric vehicles available for hourly or daily rentals. 

Globally, Zipcar provides EVs worldwide, while Turo, a peer-to-peer platform, connects individual car owners with renters, expanding the range of EVs available worldwide.  

What are the advantages of electric car sharing schemes?

Research from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reveals that electric car sharing schemes can reduce emissions by up to 43 per cent per user compared to petrol cars. 

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These programmes not only cut emissions but also decrease the need for individual car ownership, which in turn reduces the demand for new vehicles and the environmental impact of car manufacturing. 

Moreover, users of car sharing services often adopt more sustainable transportation habits, such as walking, cycling, or using public transport, further lowering overall vehicle kilometres travelled and associated emissions. 

Shared electric vehicles are utilised more efficiently, and it’s estimated that one shared EV could potentially replace up to 15 privately owned cars, helping to ease traffic congestion and shrink the overall environmental footprint.  

What are the challenges of electric car sharing schemes?

While electric car sharing schemes offer significant benefits, they are not without challenges, and several factors slow their widespread adoption. 

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One major hurdle is the lack of sufficient charging infrastructure, which leads to “range anxiety” – the fear that users may not have access to a charger when needed, especially for longer trips. 

Additionally, the higher upfront costs, expensive repairs, and lower residual values of EVs (compared to petrol and diesel alternatives) can deter car rental operators from expanding their electric fleets. 

Despite these obstacles, infrastructure improvements can significantly enhance the user experience. Increasing the availability of convenient charging stations, particularly near car sharing locations, is crucial to boosting user confidence and satisfaction. 

Government policies and grants aimed at funding charging points and offering incentives for electric mobility play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges.

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A greener future with EV car sharing?

Electric car sharing schemes offer a flexible, eco-friendly alternative to car ownership.

These services provide easy access to electric vehicles for a wide range of users, from urban residents seeking short-term convenience to tourists exploring cities in an environmentally conscious way. 

With benefits like reducing emissions and alleviating traffic congestion, the environmental impact is clear. 

However, challenges such as limited charging infrastructure and the high cost associated with EVs still impede broader adoption. 

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Despite these obstacles, ongoing improvements in public charging networks will ensure that EV car sharing schemes continue to promote greener mobility solutions, paving the way for more people to embrace electric vehicles and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.