Carsharing for Cities
Join leading cities around the world in supporting shared mobility to reduce congestion, lower emissions, and enhance transportation options for residents.
How Cities Collaborate with Carsharing
Carsharing is more than just a transportation alternative—it’s a proven strategy for creating more sustainable, efficient, and livable cities. Here’s how:
Reduces Congestion
One shared car replaces up to 13 private vehicles, significantly cutting down traffic volume and freeing up space on city streets. Fewer cars mean less gridlock, smoother traffic flow, and more efficient transportation networks.
Lower Emissions
With fewer vehicles on the road, carsharing helps cities cut down on pollution and meet climate action goals. Many carshare fleets are transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles, making shared mobility an even greener alternative to personal car ownership.
Supports Public Transit
Carsharing fills the gaps where public transit alone isn’t enough. It provides first- and last-mile solutions, helping more people access buses, trains, and metro systems easily—without needing to own a car.
Enhances Accessibility
Carsharing expands mobility options for low-income residents, seniors, students, and non-drivers who may not have access to a private vehicle. By integrating carsharing into affordable housing and urban planning, cities can ensure equitable transportation access for all.
Efficient Land Use
The demand for parking in cities is a major urban planning challenge. Carsharing reduces the need for large parking lots, allowing cities to repurpose space for parks, bike lanes, pedestrian areas, and housing developments—creating more livable, walkable neighborhoods.
Cost Saving for Cities
Fewer private cars mean less pressure on roads, infrastructure, and parking facilities, helping cities save on maintenance and expansion costs. Instead of investing in more parking garages or widening roads, cities can prioritize investments in sustainable mobility solutions that benefit both residents and the environment.
Saint Paul’s Carshare Success
Mayor Melvin Carter of Saint Paul celebrates the 150,000th trip taken with EVIE, the city’s all-electric, renewably powered carsharing service. He shares how EVIE is reducing emissions, expanding access to transportation, and becoming a vital part of the city’s mobility network—demonstrating how carsharing can drive equity, sustainability, and innovation in cities across North America.
How Cities Can Support Carsharing
Dedicated Carsharing Parking Spaces
Cities can integrate on-street and off-street carshare parking, including prime locations near transit hubs, residential areas, and commercial districts. Many cities also offer discounted or waived parking fees for carshare operators to encourage growth.
Zoning & Incentives
Cities can implement flexible zoning policies that allow carsharing vehicles to operate in dense urban areas, new developments, and mixed-use districts. Offering tax incentives, permitting support, or fleet electrification incentives can further encourage carshare expansion.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
Collaborating with carsharing operators, transit agencies, and developers allows cities to seamlessly integrate shared mobility into urban planning. PPPs can support carshare expansion in underserved areas, integrate payment systems with transit, and create mobility-as-a-service initiatives.
Sustainability Goals & EV Adoption
As cities push for net-zero emissions, carsharing helps reduce private car ownership and boost EV adoption. Cities can accelerate this by supporting electric carshare fleets with dedicated parking, priority charging, and financial incentives.
How the CSA Supports Cities
Join a global network of cities and mobility leaders working to expand carsharing and reduce urban congestion. As a CSA city member, you’ll gain access to:
Online Member Community
Connect with carsharing operators, urban planners, and transportation leaders via CSA’s Slack network. Share ideas, ask questions, and stay updated on best practices.
Industry Webinars & Thought Leadership
Get exclusive access to quarterly webinars featuring expert insights on carsharing policy, EV adoption, and urban mobility trends. Cities can also host or sponsor a webinar to showcase initiatives.
Global Conferences & Networking
Engage with carsharing leaders at CSA’s global carsharing conference (Spring 2026). Members receive discounted tickets and opportunities for panel discussions, networking, and sponsorships.
Library of Resources & Research
Access CSA’s extensive database of carsharing research, including policy frameworks, case studies, and best practices on progressive parking policies and multimodal integration.
Carsharing's Place in the Future of Mobility
Carsharing is transforming urban mobility by reducing car ownership, easing congestion, and creating more sustainable cities. In this past CSA webinar, global mobility expert highlighted its role in shaping the future of transportation through shared mobility, electrification, and automation.