Saving money on car sharing: Experts share tips
If you only need a car a few times a month, you pay significantly less with car sharing than for your own car. But be careful: hidden costs can drive up the price. Two experts reveal how you can save on car sharing. So you have more to spend at the Online Casino.
Car sharing sounds practical – but is it really worth it? We’ll show you at what mileage it’s cheaper than owning your own car, where hidden costs lurk, and how to save money with the right car-sharing tips.
When is car sharing worthwhile?
Whether car sharing is financially worthwhile for you depends primarily on how many kilometers you drive per year. „An average car-sharing service in Germany is cheaper than owning your own car, up to an annual mileage of 12,500 kilometers (34 kilometers per day)“, explains Gunnar Nehrke, Managing Director of the German Car Sharing Association. The Federal Environment Agency estimates the value at 14,000 kilometers; an ADAC editor calculates a major advantage compared to a new VW Tiguan with an annual output of just 10,000 kilometers.
Car sharing in combination with public transport and bicycles is becoming particularly attractive. According to Nehrke, car-sharing households often use such combinations accordingly. The average car-sharing user only sits in a car once or twice a month.
The association shows the savings per month in a calculation example on its website:
He calculates the monthly fixed costs, operating costs, and workshop costs (185 euros) of a VW Golf, which is driven 417 kilometers per month, and adds up the monthly loss of value of a new car (290 euros). This adds up to EUR 475
In contrast, the association provides the monthly cost of a Deutschlandticket (63 euros). The remaining 417 euros could be invested in car sharing as needed. With the money, you could drive 779 kilometers with the fare selected for the bill, 362 kilometers more than with your own car.
Where do hidden costs lurk in car sharing?
So car sharing can be worthwhile. However, there are a few points you should keep in mind to avoid unnecessary costs:
How expensive are accidents and other damage to a car-sharing car? „These costs can often be significant because car repairs are expensive“, warns Nehrke. Joshua Jahn from the Brandenburg Consumer Advice Center adds: „Car-sharing providers usually offer a higher deductible than traditional rental car companies.“ However, many make it possible to reduce these for an additional charge.
His recommendation: „Before starting your journey, we generally advise reporting all damage to the car. It can be a practical help to take photos or a video of the vehicle before and after the start of the journey.“
In case of rule violations, providers can also call up processing fees. The Brandenburg Consumer Advice Center warns: „There are occasional problematic contractual clauses that lead to unplanned additional costs –e.g. additional charges for speeding based on internal GPS data without official measurement.“
The consumer advocate further explains: „Typical cost traps arise from excessive rental times or additional kilometers that exceed the originally booked quota.“ For parking violations, you will have to pay for tickets or even towing costs. For free floating offers, returns are only possible within the defined business area at publicly permitted parking spaces.
The different forms of car sharing at a glance
Station-based: The vehicles are located at designated parking spaces close to home or work. Users have to pick up the car there and bring it back. Depending on the provider, bookings can be made up to one year in advance.
Free-floating: The cars park flexibly within a set zone. Users can find an available vehicle in their area via the app and book spontaneously – but only a maximum of 20-30 minutes in advance. After use, the car is parked anywhere within the zone.
However, there are also combination models in which one provider provides both systems in parallel.
Another important point is the pricing structures: Car sharing is based on booking time and/or kilometers driven, which varies from provider to provider. „Mixed fares are usually the cheapest for users where the car is parked a lot in between, but you don’t want to end the booking, for example, when shopping or visiting family“, explains Nehrke.
„For longer bookings, many providers offer package prices or discounts above a certain mileage.“ The Brandenburg Consumer Advice Center advises: „Even if it takes time, users should always read the terms and conditions before signing.“
