SMILES research report on website
'Baby, you can drive my car'
Supporting photo with part of the first page of the report
Insight into the adoption and sustainable use of communal car sharing
The SMiLES research report, which provides insights into the motivations for using car-sharing and sustainable car use initiatives, is now available on the SMiLES website. The main goal of this study was to understand the motivations behind car sharing in communities, focusing on the adoption and integration of car sharing into daily travel habits. Two studies were conducted: the first was a survey identifying the main drivers for car mobility in the Netherlands. The second study followed members of the 'Auto van de Straat (Car of the Street)' initiative and provided insight into their experiences and use of car sharing.
About the research report
Community car sharing has the potential to rigorously change the way we travel by reducing the number of parked cars, reducing emissions and improving local neighbourhoods. But what motivates people to embrace and continue using this sustainable transportation option? To answer this question, we conducted a survey entitled ‘Baby, you can drive my car’: What motivates people to use car sharing initiatives sustainably?
We combined insights from two sources. A survey of 292 participants in both urban and rural areas throughout the Netherlands. Together with an evaluation of the Car of the Street initiative, a 9-month trial in which 16 people living in urban neighborhoods in the Netherlands shared cars with neighbors from their street. Participants were asked about their use of the shared cars at three points: before, during, and after the initiative, to assess their motivations and behaviors.
What did we learn?
We found that people are more likely to embrace car sharing when they recognize its practical benefits, such as convenience, reliability, and safety. People are also more likely to consider joining car sharing if they believe it can reduce parked cars in their neighbourhood, creating space for green areas or leisure activities. Additionally, some participants valued car sharing as a way to express themselves as eco-conscious, technically literate, or community-oriented.
However, sustainable use involves more than just participating in a trial. This means you continue to use shared cars over time, replacing trips that would otherwise be made with private vehicles, and avoiding the substitution of more sustainable options such as cycling or public transport. Finally, sustainable use also includes fully transitioning to shared mobility by selling your private car.
We found that people are more likely to use car sharing sustainably if they believe it improves the quality of their local neighbourhood, for example by reducing queues or freeing up space for community activities. Furthermore, sustainable use is influenced by the opportunity car sharing offers people to express their identity. For example, some participants appreciated how using a shared car can strengthen their sense of self as environmentally conscious or progressive.
Interestingly, factors such as environmental benefits, cost savings and a sense of community played a minor role in people’s decisions. In some cases, logistical challenges played a role, such as scheduling conflicts, uncertainty about group responsibilities or practical concerns, barriers to acceptance and continued use.
What's next?
To foster widespread acceptance and long-term use, car-sharing programs must address practical challenges. This includes ensuring reliable availability of cars, clarifying responsibilities around insurance and maintenance and making the process smoother for users. Furthermore, more research on why some participants stop using car-sharing or hesitate to sell their private vehicles will provide valuable insights for improving and refining car-sharing initiatives.
This research highlights the importance of thoughtful program design and targeted
communication strategies. By focusing on the main reasons for acceptance and
sustainable use, car sharing can become a more accessible and effective solution for promoting sustainable mobility in communities.
Interested in the research?
PhD candidate Michelle Lohmeyer from Environmental Psychology at the Rijksniversitet Groningen wrote this report based on the insights from the Car of the Street initiative, which was organized by Nature & Environment and their partners.
The English report is available to download here: ‘Research Report: Community Car-sharing survey and evaluation of the Auto van de Straat Initiative (PDF, 529 Kb).