Car Sharing Providers in the US: Market Size, Businesses & Forecast 2026

The car sharing industry in the United States provides short-term access to vehicles through peer-to-peer and traditional models. The industry has shown resilience with approximately 2.2 million car sharing members as of 2022 (AUVSI), though the market has faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and changing mobility preferences. The sector has been adapting with increased focus on electric vehicles and integrated mobility solutions.

Industry snapshot

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Historical & forecast

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What does the Car Sharing Providers in the US industry cover?

Car sharing refers to the short-term rental of vehicles, typically by the hour or day, through membership-based services. This industry encompasses both traditional car sharing (owned fleet) and peer-to-peer (P2P) models where private individuals rent out their personal vehicles. The sector operates in urban and suburban areas, providing alternatives to traditional car ownership.

• •The industry includes services like car2go, Zipcar, and Turo, offering vehicles ranging from economy cars to luxury options
• •Traditional car sharing requires members to be at least 21 years old with a valid driver's license
• •P2P platforms typically offer insurance coverage and handle payment processing for vehicle rentals

Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?

The US car sharing market features a mix of multinational corporations and smaller regional operators. Traditional car sharing services maintain owned fleets of vehicles, while P2P platforms connect private car owners with renters. The industry has seen consolidation, with some major players acquired by larger mobility companies.

• •Zipcar, acquired by Avis Budget Group in 2013, maintains operations in major metropolitan areas
• •Getaround operates both traditional and P2P models across the US
• •Turo, the largest P2P car sharing platform, facilitates over $1 billion in annual transactions
• •Enterprise CarShare continues operations in select cities with university campuses

What drives demand in the industry?

The growth of car sharing services is primarily driven by urbanization, environmental concerns, and changing attitudes toward vehicle ownership. Millennials and Gen Z consumers show particular interest in access-based consumption models. Additionally, rising parking costs and traffic congestion in urban areas make car sharing attractive.

• •Approximately 75% of car sharing users cite cost savings compared to car ownership as a primary motivator (National Association of City Transportation Officials)
• •Urban areas with populations over 1 million typically have the highest car sharing adoption rates
• •Environmental consciousness drives approximately 40% of users to choose car sharing over personal vehicles

Who are the notable companies in the industry?

The US car sharing industry features both publicly traded and privately held operators competing for market share. Traditional fleet operators face competition from P2P platforms that offer greater vehicle variety and potentially lower costs through utilizing existing private assets. The market has seen increased partnership with traditional transportation providers.

• •Avis Budget Group operates Zipcar through its subsidiary
• •Turo operates as an independent publicly traded company on the NASDAQ
• •Getaround is a privately held company with backing from major investors including SoftBank
• •Enterprise Holdings maintains Enterprise CarShare as part of its mobility offerings

What are the recent trends and outlook?

The car sharing industry has adapted to post-pandemic mobility patterns by expanding into suburban markets and increasing vehicle sanitation protocols. There has been a notable shift toward electric vehicle adoption within fleets, with some operators pledging to transition to all-electric offerings. Integration with public transportation options has become increasingly important.

• •Zipcar announced plans to transition its entire fleet to electric vehicles by 2030
• •Car sharing usage returned to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 in most major metropolitan areas
• •Some operators have introduced subscription models offering unlimited daily use for a monthly fee

How is the industry regulated?

Car sharing operators must comply with federal regulations regarding vehicle safety, insurance requirements, and data privacy. State-level regulations vary, with some states implementing specific requirements for P2P platforms. Local municipal regulations may include parking restrictions and permitting requirements for vehicle locations.

• •The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards apply to all vehicles in car sharing fleets
• •California's Department of Motor Vehicles regulates P2P car sharing platforms through specific licensing requirements
• •Cities like New York and Chicago have implemented local permitting requirements for car sharing vehicles

Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.

• Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) 2022 Report on Car Sharing ·
• U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) 2022 Transportation Services Data ·
• National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) Urban Mobility Guidelines 2023 ·
• California Department of Motor Vehicle P2P Car Sharing Regulations 2023 ·
• Zipcar Sustainability Commitment 2022