Why Own Your Own? Consider Car Sharing

“If you live in a city, you don’t need to own a car.”
–William Clay Ford Jr., CEO, Ford Motor Co.

Car sharing is based on the premise that many of us can fulfill most of our transportation needs with walking, biking and public transit. For those times when we can’t, we can rent a car, or join a car sharing service. More than 72,410 Americans and Canadians already do.

There are a number of fixed costs for owning a car, such as loan or lease payments, insurance, registration and, in some areas, paying for a parking stall.

If you don’t drive very much, but still want the convenience of an automobile for specific jobs, car sharing may be the answer. Car sharing is an economical alternative for those driving 7,500 miles a year or less.

Visit carsharing.net to find out where your nearest car sharing depot is located.

Do you ‘care share’? How is it working for you? Any other ideas for leaving the car in the driveway, or giving up the car altogether? Share your ideas by commenting below!

Read more: Life, Transportation, carsharing, zipcar

The Carbon Busters Home Energy Handbook by Godo Stoyke (New Society Publishers, 2007).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Robert O.

3:02PM PST on Jan 23, 2012

Thanks Melissa.

send a green star

KS G.

5:25AM PDT on Sep 12, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Jonn N.

3:58AM PST on Feb 27, 2010

No at present I do not car share. I will have o give this some thought and maybe talk things over with the neighbors. I can see that a huge sum of money can be saved in the long run. Will have to see what transpires.

Alicia N.

1:13PM PST on Jan 24, 2010

my husband cars pool with a friend and they split the gas $$$ - they work in the same company and we live in the same area.

Alice B.

9:22AM PST on Dec 29, 2008

I am a carsharer: I live in Minneapolis, MN & belong to the metrowide HOURcar car-rental club, run by Neighborhood Energy based in St. Paul, MN. I pay a very small monthly membership fee, with all insurance/maintenance/roadside-help/etc. covered. The cars are all Toyota Prius-type cars, with new hybrids being added. They use almost NO gas [you only have to "top up" the gas tank to 1/4 of a tank minimum when you return the car]. The HOURcar has "hubs" around town where you go pick up your online/reserved car: you have a key "fob" that electronically operates the door locks, and there is an electronic/built-in plug-in ignition "key" that's on a 'string' so it's always tucked into a pocket in the car. It's a different king of car - but it only takes a short while to get used to using. I LOVE IT! I live near public transit that goes right to the nearest hub - which is conveniently located in Uptown, the local-area cafe/shops/entertainment area. Great! I use the car when I have relatives/friends visiting, or for special events, or for major big-item shopping stints, or for getting out of the city. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND HOURcar and NON-OWNERSHIP OF CARS!!! :)

Anita D.

9:49AM PDT on May 16, 2008

Thanks for highlighting the benefits of car sharing. In addition to saving money and avoiding hassles of car ownership, car sharing contributes to a healthier urban habitat for all. Members of City CarShare in the San Francisco Bay Area collectively save 25 million pounds of CO2 per year. When our members join City CarShare, they become more efficient drivers and drive less. Plus our cities have fewer cars because members shed cars or skip purchasing one. That means more space for other uses, such as parks and residences. Again, thanks for sharing, Anita (City CarShare)