95% of privately owned cars remain unused. Isn’t that something?
Why buy a car when you can have the same convenience and comfort as a car without owning one?
The best way to reduce traffic in a city is to offer more alternate means of transport.
That's where car sharing and car rental come in. Both options are pretty popular among Australians. However, they are not the same. Let us take a close look at car-sharing and car rental, and their differences and see which one may be more suitable and profitable for you.
Car sharing and Car rental in Australia are widespread among Australians since they are convenient and cost-effective compared to owning a car. You have two options for renting a car. One is the conventional car rental firm, and another is Drive mate - a peer-to-peer car sharing in Australia. Drive mate is a fast-growing peer-to-peer car-sharing platform that allows you to rent cars from fellow car owners in your neighbourhood.
Let's dig into Car Rental and Car Sharing:
Car Rental - A traditional form of mobility
Car rental is the conventional form of renting a car. It gives you flexibility in your travelling plans. Generally, renting a car follows a specific process like contacting the rental company, booking the car and paying for that ahead of time. In this type of car rental, the car will be delivered to your preferred location, or you can pick it up from where they are available. Since the numbers of vehicles here are limited, you don't get more options to choose from. If you are planning to travel out of town for a week, renting a car can be a great option, especially if you return the car to the airport while waiting for your flight.
You should go for a car rental when
You are going on a road trip
You need a car for more than a day
You are planning a vacation and don't know about local transportation.
It is the most comfortable way to move from one location to another, whether travelling for leisure or attending a meeting out of the city. The growth of car rentals in Australia can be caused by various reasons, including the number of business travellers, the volume of tourists arriving, traffic congestion, and others.
Its benefits include;
It is a low-cost and affordable option for the guests and the hosts
It gives a feel like driving your car
It meets your requirements, depending on your needs
It gives you the advantage of driving at your own pace and the freedom to explore
24/7 online support and assistance
Car Sharing - A P2P Service
In Australia, the Car-sharing industry has boomed in the last decade. Even though car sharing is referred to as "Car Airbnb", many people still aren't aware of what it is and what makes the two services different.
Car sharing is a short-term car rental. It refers to renting a car from a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform like Drive mate, for a short time. Unlike any public transport like taxis and cabs, car sharing gives you the freedom to drive on your own with a third party's consent (Here, ''Third party'' refers to the car-sharing platforms). It is usually more flexible to share a car than to rent one. You do not need to book the car weeks ahead of time or adhere to a strict schedule. Using a car-sharing service is more convenient than taking public transportation since there are no set schedules to follow; instead, each driver sets their plan.
You should choose car sharing if:
You need a car for shorter durations
You don't own a car
You are carrying a lot of luggage that makes it difficult to take the bus
You don't want to get into the hassle of public transportation
You have the plan to visit a lot of places in different directions
You want the freedom to return your car at your convenience
Don't get confused with the ride-sharing concept because, in car sharing, you are renting a car from your neighbours, driving your own and overseen by a P2P car-sharing company. Car sharing is in high demand in several populated areas, especially if you are looking for Car-sharing in Sydney and Car-sharing in Melbourne because it is convenient, environment-friendly and most importantly affordable. In order to save money, time and fuel the number of users is likely to increase in the coming years. Car sharing in Australia is becoming a more comfortable and reliable choice.
Its benefits include
24/7 access on the phone through a car-sharing app
A possible last-minute booking in your neighbourhood
Wide variety of cars that are suitable for your daily commute
Best for short-term use—less than 24 hours or for running errands
You can be the host as well with your car
How does Car sharing work?
Car sharing is the future of mobility. It is the best transportation option for urban and inner urban cities. The idea behind car-sharing companies is to let you rent a car from people who have cars to share in your area rather than renting directly from a company.
Drive mate is worth checking out if you're looking for a unique and affordable way to get around town. It's an online peer-to-peer car-sharing service that lets private car owners list their vehicles for free. You can easily browse the available cars and find one that suits your needs. Plus, since it's ideal for short, daily trips, you don't have to worry about renting a car for an entire day.
Car Sharing vs Car Rental
Car sharing and Car rentals are distinct in several ways. This includes the booking process, usage, and customer assistance. Let's look at
Booking process:
Car sharing - you can book the car at any time from a private car owner through a car-sharing app or website.
Car rental - you need to book the car beforehand from the owner through the car rental app or website.
Charges:
Car sharing - Most Car-sharing services charge by mileage or time, making it feasible for daily users.
Car rental - Generally, Car rental charges are based on days. So you don't need to worry about how long you drive or the distance you cover.
Usage:
Car sharing - Car-sharing is ideal for ad hoc, short and impromptu trips without any hefty deposit.
Car rental - Car rental is apt for long trips like vacations, road trips and so on. In short, it is suitable for those who need a car for a longer time.
There is no hard and fast rule as to which is better. It all depends on which option suits your needs.
Take a glance at the Car-sharing industry:
Car-sharing in Australia is a rapidly growing industry. Car-sharing demand is increasing daily, especially in inner urban areas. According to a UN report, almost 55% of the world's population lives in metropolitan cities, and by 2050 it will increase to 68%, and 81% of them own their car.
One shared car can take ten cars off the road, which means by 2030, 35% of car journeys will be car-share journeys.
It is understandable that having a car makes travelling much more convenient whether you are going to the office or for a vacation. However, it comes with a price.
According to a survey by Canstar Blue, an Aussie spends a whopping average of around $40,729 on new cars every year.
Now, if this number doesn't surprise you, other costs will surely be because owning a car involves a number of expenses such as fuel, maintenance, insurance, etc. It is truly a costly investment to own a car in Australia. But if you choose Car sharing in Australia, it will make your life a lot easier. If you are looking for a convenient, insured, flexible and secure car-sharing in Australia with excellent customer service and amazing value, always choose Drive mate. Read the article if you want to know more about Peer-to-peer car sharing.
Drive mate - A New Era of Mobility
Drive mate is the one-stop solution for all your car rental and car-sharing needs in Australia. It makes your journey simpler, smoother and easier. With Drive mate, you get the liberty to choose different vehicles for different needs and occasions. It also gives you 40% more savings compared to other traditional car rental services. Even if you want to list your car with Drive mate, it will take hardly 5 min of yours. You just need to download the app and follow a few specific steps. It gives you the benefits of owning a car and earning extra income by hosting your car without any new financial investment.
Be it car-sharing or car rental; Drive mate has something to offer for both guests and hosts. To enjoy a safe and secure ride or list your car with Drive mate.
