Car sharing in everyday life
In short: Car sharing allows using a car by the hour or day without owning one. It is especially suited for people who only occasionally need a car.
In more detail: There are station-based providers with fixed pick-up points and free-floating providers, where vehicles are parked throughout a business area.
In detail
- Cost comparison: For occasional drivers, car sharing is often cheaper than owning a car with insurance, tax, and depreciation.
- Booking by app: Reservation, unlocking, and payment are usually fully handled through a smartphone app.
- Insurance: Basic insurance is usually included in the price, and the deductible can often be reduced for an extra fee.
- Fuel rules: Many providers expect the vehicle to be returned with enough fuel or battery charge.
- Vehicle condition: Existing damage should be documented before starting a trip to avoid later disputes.
- Environmental aspect: Shared vehicles can reduce the total number of cars needed in a city.
- Combining with public transport: Car sharing often complements public transport for routes that would be impractical by bus and train (deutschlandticket, kfz-versicherung-haftpflicht-teilkasko-vollkasko).