Opt for car sharing
You tackle the following challenges:
That's how you do it
Car-sharing affects air quality only to a limited extent. The system mainly promotes healthier mobility when car ownership decreases and when the government also promotes other measures, such as active and public transport or low-emission vehicles. Systems that make car sharing attractive therefore contribute to a shift in mentality in which collective means of transport are gaining in importance.
The few available studies on carsharing are moderately positive about the expected reduction in emissions. Most studies focus on the reduction of greenhouse gases. Locally, the emissions do decrease: for example, in the center of London, 8.45 tons less NOx emissions are expected over a period of 6 years ( Killbane-Dawe, 2012 ). Nevertheless, the differences may be too small to significantly reduce the amounts of pollutants in the air.
The effects on air quality are therefore mainly the result of a shift in mobility behavior in the long term. The impact of the relatively lower-emission (newer, greener) shared cars is rather limited compared to private cars.
Car sharing also ensures that:
- you need fewer parking spaces in the cities
- more physical space is freed up for active transport, a healthier lifestyle and more road safety
- users can save on transportation costs
- employers and employees save costs because fewer parking spaces are needed
- people focus more on sustainable vehicles
- renews the fleet faster and thus meets the highest standards
- there will be a shift in mentality whereby people are more likely to opt for collective rather than individual means of transport.
Tips
- Integrate car sharing into a broader package of measures
- Direct and short-term effects may be limited, but in the longer term this measure contributes to a behavioral change in mobility
- If you integrate carsharing into a package of measures, it can make people enthusiastic about the full package.
Knowing more
Evaluation of existing car-sharing clubs
London, United Kingdom - 2011
Harmer & Cairns surveyed members of a London car-sharing club. Car-sharing clearly reduces car ownership: 55% of members said they own at least one car less since joining the club. In addition, the annual number of kilometers traveled by members decreased by more than 2300 km per family. The use of public transport and taxi also increased significantly. Important side note: these results may only turn out to be feasible in large cities.
Examples of existing car-sharing systems at city level
Austria, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Netherlands, USA - 2011
Sharenow is a car sharing system that is active in several European cities. The platform differs from other initiatives in two ways: registration is free, and there are no fixed parking points. At Sharenow, the user only pays for the time in which he drives the vehicle. After use, he can park the car wherever he wants, as long as it is within the city. The availability of the cars, their fuel level and location can be found online or in a smartphone app. The Sharenow platforms in Amsterdam (NL) and San Diego (US) even only offer fully electric vehicles. In Amsterdam, it seems that Sharenow is almost as popular as cycling in cold or wet weather.
Examples of existing car sharing systems
Netherlands, Belgium - 2011
Greenwheels is a car sharing system that allows you to use your rental car throughout the Netherlands. Users pay a fixed monthly subscription and in addition a variable contribution depending on the number of kilometers traveled and the time used. You usually pick up and return your shared car in reserved parking spaces near public transport. The Greenwheels system also offers discounts to users with a public transport subscription. This system exists in just about everywhere in Europe. The Belgian Cambio , for example, is also committed to an optimal combination with public transport.
More information
- Killbane-Dawe (2012) studied emission reduction potential and other positive and negative effects of car sharing in central London. This study provides insight into the potential numerical effects for a large city: 14 Cost Effective Actions to Cut Central London Air Pollution .
- A similar emissions reduction estimate was performed for the City CarShare initiative in San Francisco: Sustainability and Shared Mobility Models .
