Carsharing, in which members have access to a network of shared vehicles for short-term rentals, has existed in the US for more than two decades. Within the last six years though, carsharing services have proliferated under a wider variety of business models. These programs are increasingly seen as a means of increasing transportation access in underserved communities—particularly in those with limited public transit service. The recent incorporation of electric vehicles in carsharing programs is also seen as a promising public policy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Government support for carsharing has accelerated, with state and federal agencies investing millions of dollars in support of equity and sustainability goals.
As funding grows, it becomes increasingly important to learn from carsharing services that have already been implemented. Researchers at the University of California, Davis and the non-profit organization Mobility Development reviewed evaluations of the travel, emissions, and equity effects of past US carsharing programs and analyzed the evolution of carsharing and its various business models. The aim of the research is to inform the design of and improve the value of investments in future electric carsharing programs, and this policy brief summarizes these findings and provides policy implications.