If you don't have a car to get to work or if your car is being repaired, carpooling or car-sharing may be suitable solutions. What does it consist of? Here's a quick overview of the issue.
Confusion of terms
To save fuel or to earn additional income, more and more motorists in France and Europe are turning to efficient alternatives. Nevertheless, the differences between carpooling and car sharing can sometimes be confusing. Many people find it difficult to make the distinction. It should be noted that the differences between carpooling and car sharing are notable. However, some carpools sometimes charge for the car trip, while others do not. As a result, it is not easy to know exactly what the difference is. Both are difficult to understand if you look at them for a moment.
Car sharing
Car sharing is the act of renting a car for a limited time. It is a system that is orchestrated around the fact that a single car can be rented as a package or under subscription to one or more people. These people take turns using the vehicle and are obliged to return it in good condition once the rental period is over. In France, this is a practice that many insured owners choose to practise, as it allows them to earn a significant income supplement. It is therefore a trend that is nowadays increasingly applied in cities and regions throughout Europe. It should be noted that the owner of a car-sharing car is not always a private individual. It can also be a company that rents out its car.
Carpooling
Carpooling is done between residents of the same residential area. It is the fact for a driver to propose to local residents to share the benches of his car in order to go to a given destination without changing direction. Unlike a taxi or Uber, there is no charge for this type of trip. It is often a service provided between neighbours or friends. Indeed, carpooling was originally set up to relieve road traffic congestion, following the example of the carpooling carried out by a large part of the Chinese population during the 2008 Olympics. Since then, carpooling has been a successful practice throughout the world and particularly in Europe. The initiative of this approach is both economical and ecological. By avoiding public transport, it is also a way for drivers to be less stressed on their way to work by being with friends, family or nice colleagues.