Why and when carsharing pays off: Save money, time, and hassle

Among the key trends of today are the sharing economy, zero-waste principles, sustainability, and environmental responsibility. One area where sharing truly makes sense is carsharing - shared car use.

Carsharing is a smart and efficient mobility solution that doesn’t require owning a car. Owning a car is not the only way to get around.

Try flexible mobility without owning a car

Walking, biking, public transit, and trains - all of these can be efficiently combined with shared cars to cover all your mobility needs. Households using carsharing only pay for a car when they actually need it. This allows you to freely choose the best transport mode for each trip, whether that’s a car, bike, bus, or train.

What’s more: If you don’t need a car every day, you may find that giving up your car is more convenient and cost-effective.

Still, many people are used to owning a car. It feels like a symbol of independence and “everyone” has one. But let’s take a look at some factors that might show that we gain even more freedom by not owning a car.

The hidden costs of car ownership

People are attached to their cars. They see them as a tool for independence and statistically, every second person owns one. But when comparing costs, we often consider only the fuel. In reality, the true cost of owning a car is much higher. Let’s break it down:

Purchase price of CZK 300,000 for 10 years, sold for CZK 50,000 = annual cost of CZK 25,000
Annual maintenance: around CZK 10,000
Tires, insurance, MOT, parking, fuel, fluids, washing, motorway tolls, etc.

With carsharing, everything is included in the booking price - fuel, insurance, maintenance, and roadside assistance. Plus, you get to drive more reliable, modern vehicles.

It’s true: the cost is more visible with each individual trip. With your own car, you pay upfront and just keep adding fuel and occasional maintenance. It’s also a mindset shift, not just a financial one.

Time is money - and carsharing saves both

Time is becoming increasingly precious. Some may argue that shared cars require more logistics. But think of all the time you spend dealing with your own car - trips to the mechanic, regular inspections, seasonal tire changes, finding parking. And the more people choose carsharing, the more available these cars will be.

Research already shows that shared cars are more efficient. A single shared car can replace up to 15 privately owned cars. While private cars are used only about 5% of the time, shared cars are in use 30-40% of the time. That’s six to eight times more!

When does carsharing make financial sense?

A key question: How many kilometers do you drive per year?

According to a German study, the break-even point for carsharing is around 14,000 km per year. If you drive less, carsharing is cheaper than car ownership.

And if you drive more? Consider how many of those trips are “unnecessary”, taken just because the car is conveniently there. In such cases, we can ask ourselves whether convenience outweighs the social and environmental impact of our choices. We can be a positive example - especially for our kids and our community.

The ownership myth: A car is no longer a status symbol

These days, it’s not about ownership, but about access to services. With carsharing, you have a wide range of options:

A small city car for shopping
A spacious family wagon for trips and vacations
An electric car for downtown
A shared car in another city you arrive at by train

Don’t feel like driving? Use public transport, take the train, or order a ride through Liftago. On business trips, you can work on the train using Wi-Fi instead of sitting in traffic. In larger cities, you can switch from train to shared cars with ease.

Choosing to give up your car can be tough - often it’s a family decision. But if your current car is reaching the end of its life, consider taking a break. Try living without a car for a month and see if you really miss it. Or lend it to a friend for a few weeks, you might be surprised.

Why choose Autonapul carsharing?

Autonapul offers a diverse fleet of cars in multiple Czech cities. Registration is quick and online. No commitments - you pay only when you drive. Cars are available 24/7 via a mobile app.

Plus:

Travel abroad without restrictions
Selected vehicles include foreign motorway toll stickers and eco badges
Suitable for business trips, for you or your coworkers
Share cars with other drivers in your household

You can also read stories from the road from users who’ve relied on Autonapul for years. Autonapul is a carsharing service with a strong track record, excellent customer support, and happy users.