Carsharing in Ile-de-France
Carsharing : how it works
Are you familiar with carsharing? It is the pooling of a fleet of cars for the benefit of members: a practical and economical service that reduces the number of unused cars on the roads.
This system means that you can have a car for an occasional trip without needing to own one. You do not need to worry about insurance, maintenance or even parking. To use a car all you have to do is reserve a vehicle parked in a car park near your home whenever you need it, to drive it wherever you want for a limited time.
In Ile-de-France, there are four main carsharing models:
- Round trip: the user picks up and returns the vehicle at the same location (Communauto, Clem’)
- One way/Free-floating: no reserved spaces or stations, the user can pick up and drop off the vehicle anywhere within a defined area (Zity, Cityscoot, etc.)
- Between individuals (Peer-to-peer): individuals rent their own vehicle via a platform; the user picks up the vehicle from the operator and returns it there
- Within a company: sharing of a fleet (owned by the company or by an operator) within a company
Why use carsharing?
1. You don’t have a car of your own and want to visit friends or family in an area with little or no access to public transport. You can rent a car for the day or half day
2. You have a shop in the heart of the city and you need a scooter to get to your business meetings and avoid the traffic jams. Rent a shared scooter
3. You need a vehicle to transport heavy loads, for example when buying furniture. Book a shared van
A car without the hassle
According to the ADEME national car-sharing survey (2019), the motivations for joining a car-sharing service are summed up by the phrase "having a car without the hassle".
In response to the question "What factors were important in your decision to join a car-sharing service", Ile-de-France residents replied:
The disadvantages considered the most inconvenient vary from one situation to another. Parking is more frequently mentioned by residents of the Paris region.
Useful, economical and good for the planet
Carsharing reduces dependence on a car and encourages moves towards other forms of mobility. In this sense, it reduces energy consumption and pollutant emissions. In addition, it frees up urban space previously used for parking personal vehicles. Finally, this service is an attractive solution in the face of rising oil prices, urban sprawl and policies restricting the private car.
Ile-de-France Mobilités is committed to car sharing
Since April 2019, Ile-de-France Mobilités has awarded car-share operators who meet ecological, technical and quality of service criteria, an "Ile-de-France Car-sharing" certificate.
This approach was carried out for three reasons:
- so that Ile-de-France residents can get access with confidence to this type of service,
- to support the development of the sector
- to provide the 1,300 municipalities in the region with a regulatory tool to promote the service.
Find out more about the “Ile-de-France Autopartage” certificate
The network of car-sharers
Ile-de-France Mobilités also coordinates the network of car-sharers (communes, operators, technicians, etc.) by organising regular seminars to support local authorities wishing to host a car-sharing service on their area. A legal kit is currently being prepared and will be available soon.
