The impact of carsharing: social & environmental benefits

Sep 28, 2022 3 min read

Getting around with Sy
In this new ongoing blog series, our Chief Operating Officer, North America, Sy Fahimi shares his thoughts on everything from carsharing and the sharing economy to the mobility industry, and, of course, Getaround. Sy has more than 25 years of experience transforming concepts into reality, embracing innovation and creativity along the way.

Creating positive impact

As a mission-driven company, we are extremely proud of the effect that we have had, and continue to have, on people and the environment. We strive to create positive change through our digital marketplace each and every day.

In addition to continued innovation and growth, we aim to leverage our marketplace to help solve some of the most pressing challenges facing the world today. This includes access to economic opportunity and environmental sustainability.

Increasing access to mobility & economic opportunity

We believe Getaround’s digital carsharing marketplace provides increased vehicle access to underrepresented and lower socioeconomic populations. Car ownership is expensive (from purchasing to maintenance), and cars are typically underutilized. New car prices recently topped an average of $47,000, while used cars average $27,000.

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New car prices average $47,000

Given the cost, many people cannot afford to purchase a car. And for those who do, an average car is parked and unused for 95% of each day, equating to 30B car hours wasted daily! In the meantime, the value of the car depreciates as owners continue to incur loan payments, insurance premiums, and maintenance costs.

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An average car is parked 95% of the day

According to our data, 55% of the transactions on our platform have been made on a debit card by users with little or no credit, 51% of hours booked have been in less affluent neighborhoods (neighborhoods having average annual household income below $70,000), and 34% of hours booked have been in low-density transportation deserts (neighborhoods with fewer than 10,000 people per square mile).

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Peer-to-peer marketplaces offer consumers access to economic opportunity

Reducing cars & emissions

We believe Getaround helps decrease car pollution and emissions by offering car sharing to consumers, resulting in a reduction of vehicle miles traveled.

Studies conducted by the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley in 2010 found that households showed an average 34%-41% decrease in emissions when they chose carsharing over owning a car, and that each shared car replaced approximately 10 cars on the road.

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Shared cars = less cars on the road = less emissions

A 2018 study of San Francisco Getaround users showed:

  • One out of 10 Getaround guests sold or donated a car since joining.
  • 83% of Getaround guests that were considering purchasing a vehicle before joining Getaround did not end up purchasing one.
  • 74% of Getaround guests do not own a car.

Looking towards the future

As car ownership continues to be of reach for many, and as we, as a country, build on our efforts to become more eco-conscious, Getaround continues to be committed to be part of the positive change needed. We’re inspired by our hosts, guests, and everyone that is along for this journey of change and evolution. Stay tuned for more in my blog series, as I take a look at where we’ve been, and where we’re going.

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