Many people depend on a car every day or are loath to give up that little bit of freedom on four wheels. But should they own their own car, or is a car sharing service an option? We show you the advantages and disadvantages of owning your own car compared to car sharing and take a look at the costs.
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If you need a car, you have a choice: do you want to get your own car, or could car sharing be an alternative? After all, sharing is trending when it comes to getting around.
Car sharing is a mobility concept where several people share one car rather than each owning their own. By reducing the number of cars on the road and promoting a more sustainable use of resources, car sharing helps to protect the environment. How does car sharing work? You book a vehicle for the time you need it via an app or website. After the journey, you park the car either at a specified location or within a certain area. Basically, you have access to a car when you need it, without having to deal with the long-term costs and obligations of owning your own car. The flexibility of a car sharing car depends primarily on where your nearest car sharing location is.
There are two main types of car sharing: professional car sharing, as offered by providers like Mobility; and private car sharing, where private individuals make their vehicles available to others, as with services such as GoMore or 2EM.
Professional car sharing providers enable users to access their fleet or vehicles. After registering via an app or website, users can select a vehicle in their area and book it for a certain period of time. Access to the vehicle and invoicing (based on the duration of use or the kilometres driven) are usually managed digitally via an app. The vehicles are either ready at fixed locations or can be parked flexibly in certain areas.
Private car sharing is based on the idea that private individuals make their vehicles available for other people to use. Car owners can register their car via special platforms and rent it out at specified times. Interested users book the vehicle via the platform and agree a handover time directly with the owner. The platforms usually manage invoicing and offer temporary insurance for the duration of the rental. Private car sharing can be a more cost-effective alternative to professional car sharing. However, there may be restrictions regarding availability, as it is based on individual agreements. It is also an appealing option for car owners who rarely use their car and want to earn additional income by renting it out. After all, many cars in Switzerland are parked more than they are used.
A shared car and the classic rental car have one thing in common: vehicle rental is based on time. But then come the details. The key difference between car sharing and traditional car rental lies in the contract types. With car rental, the contract is restricted to the one-time rental of a particular vehicle. Typical scenarios include renting a car during the holidays for a road trip or renting a van for moving house. On the other hand, professional car sharing usually involves a framework agreement with the option of using a car as and when you need it. This covers the choice of vehicle and the rental duration.
It is a good idea to compare the various provider rates and conditions carefully, as they can differ a great deal. In some cases, there are cheaper rates for certain target groups, such as learner drivers. The invoicing methods vary, too – some calculate by time and others by kilometres driven.
Before your first journey, you should inspect the vehicle closely to ensure that there is no damage that could later be blamed on you. Any damage should be reported to the provider immediately. As well as the inspecting the bodywork, check the condition of the tyres and the oil level, and test whether the lights work correctly.
Car sharing is financially worthwhile, especially for people who only need a car occasionally or who live in large cities where parking is scarce and expensive. Car sharing is also a good option for students and young adults. Many young people consciously choose not to own their own car to save money (or for sustainability reasons). But car sharing offers them the option of mobility when they need it, without having to manage the high fixed costs of owning their own car. Also, the initial barriers to car sharing are low: after registration, you can usually get straight on the road. Another advantage is the flexibility. In many cities, you can collect and drop off the car at different locations.
Whether car sharing is particularly worthwhile depends on your personal annual mileage. A good rule of thumb is that if you drive less than 10,000 kilometres per year, car sharing is cheaper on average than maintaining your own car.
The best thing to do is to calculate precisely whether and how much money you could save in your particular situation before you decide for or against car sharing or owning your own car. An overview of the separate costs is listed below:
Overall, car sharing is a practical and often cost-effective solution for those who only need a car occasionally – according to SwissEnergy, a car stands still for an average of 23 hours per day – or for those who want to do without a car for reasons of sustainability.
We have put together a few tips so you know what to expect when you buy a car – especially if it’s your first time.
