Terms like ‘carsharing’, ‘ridesharing’, and ‘peer-to-peer car rental’ are increasingly used with the rise of new mobility solutions, often leading to confusion. Our goal is to clearly define what peer-to-peer carsharing means, especially in comparison with other concepts, and to highlight how the Co-oto app can be a valuable tool in this context.
Car-sharing and car-pooling: two different things
Carpooling is often confused with car-sharing, but the two have very different characteristics.
Carpooling involves sharing a ride with the vehicle’s owner, who is usually also the driver. Passengers join the owner on a specific trip, typically planned in advance.
Car-sharing, on the other hand, allows multiple people to access and use the same vehicle at different times. In this case, it’s not the journey that is shared, but the vehicle itself.
These two practices address different mobility needs, but they can complement each other effectively in a broader shared mobility ecosystem.
The Different Types of Car-Sharing
Car-sharing, which involves sharing vehicles among multiple users, can take several distinct forms. Here are the three main types:
1. Peer-to-peer car-sharing (self-managed)
This model is based on direct arrangements between individuals, without any commercial intermediaries. Participants agree on how one or more vehicles will be shared and set their own rules. These exchanges can be organized informally — through a shared logbook or with the help of a dedicated app like Co-oto.
2. Peer-to-peer car rental via online platforms
In this model, individuals rent vehicles from other private owners using online platforms. Users pay based on distance and rental duration. One person can rent different cars, and a single owner can rent their vehicle to multiple users. Some of these platforms are evolving into more professional services, moving toward a form of “Uberization.”
3. Commercial car-sharing services
These services rely on a fleet of vehicles owned by a company, a local authority, or sometimes a cooperative. The cars are made available to subscribers and managed centrally. There are generally two operating models:
Note: Traditional car rental companies (such as Hertz, Avis, or Europcar) may also be considered a form of short-term vehicle sharing. These well-established companies operate out of numerous locations, typically near airports, train stations, and city centers. As this type of rental is already widely known, it is not covered in detail in this article.
The Three Types of Car-Sharing
Each option has its own set of advantages and limitations. Choosing the right one depends on your budget and travel habits. The comparison table below will help you better distinguish between the three main categories:
| Peer-to-peer car-sharing (self-managed) | Peer-to-peer car rental (via platforms) | Commercial car-sharing services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examples | Co-oto, Paper logbook | 2EM, GoMore, Turo, Getaround | Mobility, Ubeeqo, Citiz |
| Definition | Vehicle shared among trusted individuals. Based on mutual agreement. | Rental via a platform. Connecting people who do not know each other. | Company offering self-service vehicles — available 24/7. |
| Vehicle owners | Private individuals | Private individuals | A company / A cooperative / A local authority |
| Geographical coverage | Anywhere vehicle owners are located | Anywhere vehicle owners are located | Mainly urban areas |
| Duration of the relationship | Medium to long-term | Occasional | Occasional or via medium/long-term subscription |
| Cost calculation method (excluding insurance) | Costs related to vehicle use are shared among users | Duration (hour or day) + distance rate (fuel not included) + platform commission | Duration (hour or day) + distance rate (fuel and maintenance included) + activation and subscription fees + possible extras |
| Vehicle availability | According to the agreement between parties | Set by the owner | Available at any time, subject to availability |
| Trip duration per use | According to the agreement between parties | Minimum and maximum duration set by the owner | Minimum and maximum duration set by the company |
| Pick-up and drop-off location | According to the agreement between parties | Same location (exact address provided after booking) | Same location (station-based model) / Any legal parking spot within a defined area (free-floating model) |
Autopartage entre particuliers : avantages et inconvénients
L’autopartage entre particuliers est le concept qui se rapproche le plus de l’économie de partage. Il offre beaucoup de flexibilité puisqu’il est basé sur une négociation entre un propriétaire et son autopartageur.euse, ou encore des copropriétaires. Ce système repose sur un accord mutuel entre les parties, rendant ainsi la relation moins unilatérale.
ll est particulièrement adapté aux utilisations fréquentes d’un véhicule et aux trajets de longue durée (souvent coûteux avec les autres types d’autopartage). L’autopartage est très économique puisqu’il n’y a pas d’intermédiaire entre les utilisateurs et le propriétaire du véhicule cherche généralement à partager les coûts – souvent dans un esprit d’entraide ou d’économie – plutôt que de réaliser un véritable profit.
Toutefois, ce système soulève souvent des questions liées aux responsabilités de chacun.e.s et nécessite une confiance réciproque ainsi qu’un certain fair-play. Une bonne organisation et une définition claire des modalités de partage dès le départ sont essentielles pour éviter tout conflit.
Si vous êtes intéressé.e par l’autopartage entre particuliers, l’application Co-oto est spécialement développée pour faciliter et rendre ce concept abordable. Elle assiste les utilisateur.ice.s dans le calcul des frais variables (essence) et fixes (assurance, stationnement, etc.) et simplifie également le processus de réservation du véhicule.
Peer-to-Peer Car-Sharing: Pros and Cons
Peer-to-peer car-sharing is the model that most closely aligns with the principles of the sharing economy. It offers a high level of flexibility, as it is based on a mutual agreement between a vehicle owner and the person they share the car with — or even between co-owners. This system fosters a more balanced relationship, with terms negotiated directly between the parties involved.
It is particularly well-suited for frequent use or long-distance trips, which are often more expensive with other car-sharing options. Peer-to-peer sharing is also highly cost-effective, since there is no commercial intermediary. Most owners aim to share costs — often motivated by a spirit of mutual aid or financial efficiency — rather than to make a profit.
However, this model does raise questions about responsibility and requires a strong foundation of mutual trust and fairness. Clear organization and well-defined rules from the outset are key to preventing misunderstandings or disputes.
If you’re interested in peer-to-peer car-sharing, the Co-oto app has been specifically developed to make this concept accessible and easy to manage. It helps users calculate both variable costs (fuel) and fixed expenses (insurance, parking, etc.), while also simplifying the vehicle reservation process.
Peer-to-Peer Car Rental: Pros and Cons
Renting a vehicle from another private individual is an appealing option for occasional use. In general, the rental conditions are unilaterally set by the vehicle owner through a platform. Renters must often specify their trip in advance by estimating the number of kilometers they will drive and must return the car at the agreed time. Additional fees may apply if these conditions are not met.
The owner must approve each booking request and is not obligated to accept it. They can also cancel a confirmed booking at any time (though they may face penalties for doing so).
This option offers access to a wide variety of vehicles. Rental prices can vary significantly depending on the type of car, rental duration, travel period (e.g. school holidays, rush hours), and the city’s size.
Insurance Considerations
Peer-to-peer rental platforms and commercial car-sharing services typically partner with insurance providers to offer varying levels of coverage. However, in the event of damage or an accident, users are still required to pay a deductible, which can be as high as 2,000 CHF. In some cases, this deductible can be reduced by paying an extra fee. It is therefore essential to read and understand the insurance terms and conditions before using a vehicle through these platforms.
In the case of peer-to-peer car-sharing (self-managed), solid coverage is also possible in the event of an incident caused by any of the users. Usually, the owner’s car insurance applies — but they must first check with their insurer to confirm that this type of usage is not excluded from their policy.