Car-sharing services are embracing electric vehicles (EVs) to boost appeal, offering eco-friendly, cost-effective, and convenient transportation solutions.

Convenience Meets Sustainability in Car Sharing

Ieva Mackeviciute, a communications professional from Lithuania, relies on car-sharing services in Vilnius for business meetings. With just a few taps on an app, she can locate a nearby vehicle, drive off, and pay by the minute. The added perk? If she chooses an electric car, she enjoys free parking—a significant advantage in a busy city.

“The ability to move around quickly without parking hassles helps me manage my time efficiently,” says Mackeviciute.

Despite the benefits, she still owns a car in Kaunas for trips to the countryside. Common car-sharing challenges, like vehicle availability and maintenance issues, occasionally disrupt her day.

Why Car Ownership Still Dominates

Car sharing remains a niche market despite rising car ownership costs. A report by car rental company SIXT reveals that:

• 61% of UK drivers use their cars daily.
• 68% worry about rising ownership costs.
• 78% are unfamiliar with car sharing.
• Less than 20% of Londoners would consider joining a car-sharing service.

While services like Zipcar have existed since 2000, only two million UK residents use car-sharing, compared to 35 million car owners.

According to Felicity Latcham of OC&C Strategy Consultants, concerns about vehicle availability and convenience are key barriers. Families, in particular, prefer having a personal vehicle for storage and accessibility.

The Rise of Electric Car Sharing

However, the car-sharing industry is shifting toward sustainability, attracting eco-conscious younger users. A 2023 McKinsey survey found that:

• 32% of Gen Z respondents want to use shared mobility services more.
• 50% of Gen Z want their next car to be fully electric.

As a result, car-sharing companies are expanding their EV fleets:

• One-third of shared cars in the EU are now electric (Statista).
• Zipcar UK doubled its EV fleet in 2023 and plans to go fully electric in 2024.
• Spark, a Lithuanian car-sharing service, has operated a fully electric fleet since 2016.

Spark’s user base grew 30% since 2022, with annual trips increasing 11%. It has also partnered with Bolt, the Baltic region’s Uber alternative, allowing users to book Spark EVs through the Bolt app.

Founder Nerijus Dagilis believes these advancements will increase adoption, especially with incentives like free parking and bus lane access for EVs.

“As EVs improve and offer 500km per charge, range anxiety will disappear,” says Dagilis.

Innovative Car-Sharing Models for the Future

In Canada, Kite is revolutionizing car sharing by integrating EVs into residential buildings. Partnering with developers, Kite offers tenants access to up to 40 fully charged EVs via a subscription model.

• Kite operates in 20 Canadian buildings, with plans to expand to 70 more in North America and Europe within 18 months.
• Residents save on car ownership costs while enjoying an all-inclusive package covering charging, maintenance, and insurance.

“We’re changing how buildings are designed, offering a turnkey lifestyle for urban dwellers,” says Kite founder Scott MacWilliam.

The Future of Car Sharing

With growing environmental concerns and the push for greener cities, electric car-sharing services are poised for expansion. As more consumers prioritize affordability, sustainability, and convenience, car-sharing platforms integrating EVs may finally gain mainstream traction.