Join or Start a
Car-Sharing Network Make Text Larger Make Text Smaller Print This Page

The cost of owning a car is high – both in terms of straight financial costs, and intangibles, such as personal health (you're less likely to walk or bike to your destination when a car is sitting at your curb). Meanwhile, personally-owned cars sit idle the vast majority of the time. Car-sharing networks offer the advantage of being able to use a car (or van, or pickup truck) when you need one, while sharing the costs with others. You save money, and help reduce the environmental impact of cars.

How to take action

  • Consider whether you really need to own a car. If you need a car for four days a week or less, car-sharing is likely a good option for you.
  • Determine how often you need to drive a car. This will help you determine what nature of membership plan you want to choose. Car-sharing networks often offer a pay-as-you-go option with no monthly fee, or a higher volume option, where you pay a monthly fee but pay less per hour and/or kilometre. Some don't charge for overnight hours, which can make them effective choices for driving home from work, parking overnight (for free) and driving back in the morning.
  • Calculate the cost of ownership vs. sharing. Most car-sharing programs offer a calculator so you can check the numbers yourself. Typically, the hourly and/or kilometre fee covers gas, insurance, maintenance, and the cost of the permanent parking space where you return the car. (Plus monthly car payment and financing charges, if you buy a car on a payment plan.) Some programs offer additional perks, such as reduced rates on transit passes for members. When you add it up, using a car only when you need one is estimated to save approximately $500 per month.
  • Look for a car-sharing network near you. See "more information" below for a list of known programs in B.C. In some locations, you'll have a choice of more than one. Many operate as co-operatives, which makes you an "owner" with a say in how the organization is run.
  • Check the locations of each network's vehicles. If you can see that there are vehicles in locations that are convenient for you – close to home and/or work – you'll likely find car-sharing easy to adopt. You may want to hold memberships in more than one network to increase your access to cars.
  • Give it a try. Join a network, and try a new way of owning/using cars – as a great tool when you want them (instead of a financial burden all the time).
  • Note that many networks offer business memberships as well – your company may be able to use car-sharing instead of owning cars for employees to use.
  • If there's no car-share program in your area, consider starting one. There are online resources related to start-ups, or download this online guide [PDF] to starting a car-share.

Why it makes a difference

  • It's estimated that every car shared in a network takes 6-20 cars off the road (estimates vary). The environmental impact of manufacturing those cars is eliminated, while total community space devoted to cars can be reduced.
  • Car-share members tend to mix their car use with other modes of transportation. On average, this reduces each member's total car driving by 2,900 km per year, cutting 1.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions per person per year. If you're serious about reducing your car use and your carbon footprint, car-sharing is a great way to support your intentions.

For more information

Last Modified: Sep 2, 2010

 

Tool Tip Text