Benefits of car share quantified

San Francisco Bay Area had fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less congestion in 2010 due to City CarShare's (CCS) service. According to results third-party studies and 2010 CCS data, City CarShare members saved US$82 million (over the cost of car ownership) and contributed to a greener environment by reducing 60 million pounds of CO2 emissions last year. Additionally, City CarShare, a Bay Area nonprofit, stated it continued to achieve financial sustainability in 2010, ensuring the 10-year old organisation
May 21, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
San Francisco Bay Area had fewer greenhouse gas emissions and less congestion in 2010 due to 5649 City CarShare’s (CCS) service. According to results third-party studies and 2010 CCS data, City CarShare members saved US$82 million (over the cost of car ownership) and contributed to a greener environment by reducing 60 million pounds of CO2 emissions last year. Additionally, City CarShare, a Bay Area nonprofit, stated it continued to achieve financial sustainability in 2010, ensuring the 10-year old organisation will continue to serve the Bay Area for years to come.

For ten years, City CarShare has been encouraging locals to give up their cars or forego buying one by offering its members 24/7 hourly access to a fleet of conveniently located unstaffed and fuel-efficient vehicles. As a nonprofit, City CarShare’s transit-oriented model of carsharing measures its success based on the benefits its service brings to the Bay Area.

Based on UC Berkeley studies, EPA and 4939 AAA data, City CarShare members decreased their carbon footprints while collectively saving $82 million in transportation costs. Combined, it is claimed that City CarShare members:

  • Reduced congestion on Bay Area roads with over 60,000 fewer vehicle miles travelled per day.
  • Reduced CO2 emissions by over 60 million pounds, in 2010.
  • Increased their use of public transit, walking and biking by up to 49 per cent (since joining CCS). This equates to an increase of more than 2,500 hours per week of additional environmentally friendly transportation.
  • Saved up to $6,000 per household per year over the cost of owning their own car.
Air Quality & Weather Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Europe’s heavy trucks ‘no more fuel-efficient than ten years ago’
    December 4, 2015
    A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) claims that trucks in the European Union are no more fuel-efficient than they were a decade ago. The study, which analyses data from the European commercial trucking market, looking at key member states, manufacturers and fuel consumption trend, found that heavy-duty vehicles represent only four per cent of the on-road fleet in the European Union, but are responsible for 30 per cent of on-road CO2 emissions. In contrast, the study cla
    Read More
  • Success of London’s congestion charge scheme
    February 15, 2013
    Said to be the biggest congestion charge scheme to launch in any city, the London scheme got off to a smooth start ten years ago on 17 February 2003, much to the surprise of London's then mayor Ken Livingstone, who ten years later says “it turned out better than I expected.” None of the anticipated pre-7am congestion as drivers attempted to avoid the charge happened, and by the end of the first day 57,000 drivers had paid it. The main problem seemed to be that buses were all running ahead of time and had t
    Read More
  • Iomob aims for multimodal net-zero trips
    April 22, 2021
    Iomob says its 'track and trace' receipt will detail how a user's 'carbon dollar' is spent
    Read More
  • Norwegian study finds electric cars 'pose environmental threat'
    October 5, 2012
    According to a study by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, electric cars might pollute much more than petrol or diesel-powered cars. Researchers found greenhouse gas emissions rose dramatically if coal was used to produce the electricity. Electric car factories also emitted more toxic waste than conventional car factories, claims their report in the Journal of Industrial Energy. However, in some cases electric cars still made sense, the researchers said.
    Read More

Highlighted Content