Carsharing Breaks Records in Spain: 3.89 Million Trips in 2024

Carsharing is solidifying its position in Spain as an increasingly popular and sustainable mobility alternative. According to the II Carsharing Barometer, presented today by the Spanish Shared Vehicle Association (AVCE) and consultancy Impulso by Pons, in collaboration with the DGT and EMT, a record of 3.89 million trips was reached in 2024, a 4% increase from the previous year and a 27% growth since 2020.

This surge demonstrates the model's efficiency: a carsharing vehicle is used more than three times a day (3.01 uses) compared to a private car (0.92), and is active 19.14% of the time, versus 8.30% for private cars, which spend over 90% of the time parked. In total, shared cars covered more than 49 million kilometers last year.

One of the study's most notable conclusions is the significant difference in fleet age. The carsharing fleet averages 3.6 years, almost five times younger than the national car fleet's 14.2 years.

This modernity translates into greater safety and sustainability. Two out of three carsharing vehicles (66%) are zero-emission, mainly battery electric vehicles (BEV), and 19% are plug-in hybrids. Spain's carsharing fleet last year consisted of 3,891 vehicles (a 26.9% increase from 2021), of which two-thirds - 66% - were zero-emission as they were battery electric vehicles (BEV), while 19% were plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and 15% were diesel or petrol.

Thanks to its electrification, 5,278.28 tonnes of CO2 emissions were avoided in 2024. Additionally, 80% of these vehicles are equipped with the latest generation ADAS systems.

The carsharing service is particularly popular among those aged 25 to 40 (45% of users), although 78% are between 25 and 55 years old. A third use it occasionally (1-4 times/month), and 21% use it regularly or very frequently. Convenience (51%) and ease of parking (30%) are the main reasons for choosing it, followed by economy and sustainability.

The main reasons for using this service are leisure or entertainment trips (43.3%) or for work, study, or other needs (27.3%).

51% of users highlight convenience, 30% ease of parking, and 20% that it is an economical service. 91% believe that carsharing can contribute to improving urban mobility.

Currently, carsharing is available in 24 Spanish municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants, covering modalities such as "free floating" (minute-based rental without a fixed base) and "station based" (hourly rental with a fixed base).

Rosa Campos, president of AVCE, highlights that these figures "reflect the consolidation of carsharing in Spain" and demonstrate a transformation towards multimodal mobility, where carsharing "complements public transport and is a real alternative to private vehicles."

Meanwhile, Pere Navarro, director general of the DGT, emphasized the importance of "sharing" means of transport in a country with nearly 50 million inhabitants and 90 million tourists. Navarro, during the barometer presentation, noted that both shared bicycles and shared motorcycles are "established" forms of transport and "now it's time" for shared cars.

Alfonso Sánchez, managing director of EMT Madrid, also emphasized the role of sharing as a complementary solution to public transport, key in initiatives like the 360 Mobility Hubs.