Car Sharing & Car Clubs, The Future?

[spen666]

With the news that Zipcar are apparently ceasing UK operations

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/zipcar-uk-suspended-booking-closing-email-b2875776.html

https://tinyurl.com/24r7xaor

https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/37499589/zipcar-uk-closing-london-operations-bookings/

Where does that leave the future of car sharing and longer term the idea sometimes raised that in future we won't own cars, but will simply "hail" one on an app when we need a car

Perhaps an idea ahead of its time?

 

[CXRAndy]

If Tesla can get their approvals

Robotaxi

 

[Ianonabike]

I'd love to just hail a car whenever I need one. Ownership sucks, as does the taxi service where I live.

 

[First Aspect]

The costs always seemed unappealing to me, wherever I looked (which was a very very long time ago). Which is to say that most of the market for car use for people who don't own one is satisfied by a rental car, because it works out cheaper over a year. Whereas if you need one regularly.enough for it to be cost effective, the pita of booking, collecting and dropping off becomes unattractive.

 

[Beebo]

If and when all new cars become driverless, then it may work. Especially in high density areas. But it only really works if it is an almost instant transaction. You don’t want to have to pre book or wait for ages.

 

[spen666]

If and when all new cars become driverless, then it may work.

Why will that change anything?
People want to get in their car when they want and go when they want, not when a "taxi" eventuially turns up, also people may want to leave possessions in their car between trips, not to load and unlad everytime they use it

how about when you go shopping, with your 10 bags of shopping for the family, you are stood in the freezing cold, wet through outside waitrose waiting however long it takes for a "taxi" to turn up, when you could be in the warmth and well on your way home
I cannot see the public "choosing" to lack the convenience of their own car

 

[spen666]

https://www.cityam.com/zipcar-uk-to-shut-operations-ahead-of-new-london-ev-congestion-charge/

https://www.theguardian.com/busines...est-car-sharing-company-to-close-uk-operation

https://news.sky.com/story/zipcar-s...ions-but-christmas-bookings-are-safe-13477999

 

[First Aspect]

Why will that change anything?
People want to get in their car when they want and go when they want, not when a "taxi" eventuially turns up, also people may want to leave possessions in their car between trips, not to load and unlad everytime they use it

how about when you go shopping, with your 10 bags of shopping for the family, you are stood in the freezing cold, wet through outside waitrose waiting however long it takes for a "taxi" to turn up, when you could be in the warmth and well on your way home
I cannot see the public "choosing" to lack the convenience of their own car

You are describing Uber.

 

[All uphill]

I believe that at least half the value of a personal car for most people is in its status and as a proud possession. If they were just a means of transport I don't see the added value of a £50000 car over a £15000 one.

I also found observe some self-delusion about the total cost of having a car outside your house; my neighbours seem to forget depreciation and opportunity cost in their calculations.

Just look at the things people go on about concerning cars - giving them names, talking about performance, assigning values to specific brands. Do many people do that with their washing machine?

 

[First Aspect]

People do that with everything. From trousers to washing machines and everything in-between. Which as far as I can tell is where.you wear them.

 

[Psamathe]

Just look at the things people go on about concerning cars - giving them names, talking about performance, assigning values to specific brands. Do many people do that with their washing machine?

Many years ago I put in a computer system at one of the really high-end white goods manufacturers and chatting to the Parts Manager he was saying how parts they use are identical to those low end product from other manufacturers use, only difference is you pay vastly more buying it with their name on it (and he was saying that seriously).

 

[Psamathe]

People want to get in their car when they want and go when they want, not when a "taxi" eventuially turns up, also people may want to leave possessions in their car between trips, not to load and unlad everytime they use it

I think a lot depends on location and lifestyle. Many some years back I had a boat we used to race on the south coast and one crew member lived in London and despite being able to afford any car he wanted he didn't have one. Weekends he came down to crew he'd hire a car but for the rest of his life he said a car would be a massive nuisance and public transport was far easier.

Trouble for car sharing is are there enough in his situation to make schemes viable.

 

[spen666]

I think a lot depends on location and lifestyle. Many some years back I had a boat we used to race on the south coast and one crew member lived in London and despite being able to afford any car he wanted he didn't have one. Weekends he came down to crew he'd hire a car but for the rest of his life he said a car would be a massive nuisance and public transport was far easier.

Trouble for car sharing is are there enough in his situation to make schemes viable.

Not sure your sample of 1 person is representative of the country

 

[CXRAndy]

Do many people do that with their washing machine?

Yes, have you got a Meile?

 

[BoldonLad]

Many years ago I put in a computer system at one of the really high-end white goods manufacturers and chatting to the Parts Manager he was saying how parts they use are identical to those low end product from other manufacturers use, only difference is you pay vastly more buying it with their name on it (and he was saying that seriously).

The same is often true of cars, components are shared between "cheap" and "expensive" models and marques