Share and share alike

A survey of more than 10,000 drivers in Europe carried out during April found that more than half would be prepared to let someone else drive their car for a fee.

The research was commissioned by Ford to gain an insight into attitudes towards car-sharing.

It found that 55% of those questioned would share their car for money compared to only 44% who would share their houses and 33% who would share their mobile phones – 17% said they’d even share their dogs for money.

The vast majority said they’d drive other people or packages (77% and 78% respectively), with a similar amount saying they’d ride-share (76%) and car-share (72%).

Will Farrelly, user experience innovation, Ford Smart Mobility, said, ‘From cars to music to holidays, people are more prepared to share possessions and services than ever before. From your smartphone, you can quickly and easily borrow someone else’s designer shoes, use their lawnmower, or even walk their dog. When it comes to mobility, sharing – whether through car-sharing, ride-sharing, or transporting packages for others – offers flexibility, a potentially more economical alternative, and can also help reduce congestion.’

The sharing economy today is measured at more than £10bn, but is expected to mushroom to £215bn by 2025, with car-sharing predicted to increase by 23 per cent.

Ford found that men and younger people were more likely to embrace the sharing economy, with up to 61 per cent of men prepared to take part in car-share services compared with 49 per cent of women. But for both men and women aged 25-34 the percentage increases to 68 per cent.

 

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