Car Sharing as a Key Contribution to Multimodal and Sustainable Mobility Behavior – the Situation of Car Sharing in Germany

Abstract

So far, car sharing is just a small niche product on the mobility market. The proven positive effects of car sharing can only contribute to solving traffic problems if the number of car sharing customers grows. The present paper investigates, on the basis of a household survey, the awareness and the market potential of mobility service car sharing in Germany. The results show that the majority of the respondents do not know what the term car sharing stands for. Even within the sub-group of people who could explain what car sharing is, local car sharing offers are not well known. To measure the attitudes towards the different modes of transport and the acceptance of the general idea to share a car with other people, statement batteries were used. On the basis of factor analyses, linear and logistic regression models, the factors are determined that influence whether a person has a liking for car sharing or not. Furthermore, the correlation between attitudes and behavioral aspects are revealed. In this context, people with multimodal mobility behavior are found to be more open-minded for shared used vehicle systems. Finally, by taking subjective (attitudes) and objective criteria (current mobility behavior) into account, the potential of car sharing is estimated. The paper starts with a short history of the development and the current status quo of car sharing in Germany and a brief summary of the previous research. In the end recommendations for the further development of car sharing are given.