In recent years, business-to-consumer carsharing has evolved from a niche market to a relevant mobility option in the inner-city areas of major German cities. However, most previous research on the use and impact of carsharing has only addressed the initial stages of its diffusion, focusing mainly on early adopters of carsharing. It remains uncertain to what extent findings from these studies can be applied to more mature carsharing services and their users. This dissertation, therefore, examines the acceptance and effects of carsharing in the inner city of Hamburg—a study area with comparatively well-established carsharing services and advanced diffusion of carsharing memberships among the population. Acceptance is defined as the current use of carsharing or the willingness to use it in the future. Regarding the effects of carsharing, the dissertation focuses on its impact on car ownership and mobility behavior. A survey of carsharing users and non-users in 16 inner-city neighborhoods in Hamburg, conducted in November and December 2019, serves as the empirical basis. The results show that the attitudes and socio-demographic characteristics of current carsharing users in Hamburg remain different from those of non-users, despite the advanced diffusion of carsharing memberships. Carsharing users in Hamburg are significantly more likely to be young, male, highly educated, have a high income, and have a relatively positive attitude toward car use, although the differences between carsharing users and non-users are rather modest. However, non-users who are strongly interested in carsharing—and thus represent potential future carsharing users—differ from the typical profile of current users. Compared to existing users, these interested non-users are more heterogeneous in terms of socio-demographics and attach less importance to car use while valuing cycling and public transport more. This suggests that the further establishment of carsharing services is indeed leading to a diversification of the user base. Regarding the effects of carsharing in Hamburg, the results show that carsharing reduces car ownership and the general level of car use, benefiting not only the carsharing services themselves but also (other) environmentally friendly means of transport. However, these effects are relatively small, mainly due to the different use and impact of station-based versus free-floating carsharing. Unlike station-based carsharing, free-floating carsharing does not appear to significantly reduce car ownership, yet it has seen the strongest growth in membership in recent years and is preferred by the vast majority of carsharing members in Hamburg. The results of this dissertation suggest that (more comprehensive) transport planning and policy support for carsharing services is advisable. This includes measures to increase the adoption of carsharing among currently underrepresented demographic groups, as well as measures to amplify the effect of carsharing on car ownership of its users.


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    Title :

    Effekte etablierter Carsharing-Angebote auf die Carsharing-Akzeptanz, den Pkw-Besitz und das Mobilitätsverhalten in urbanen Wohnquartieren


    Additional title:

    Effects of established carsharing services on carsharing acceptance, car ownership, and mobility behavior in urban residential neighborhoods


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    2025



    Type of media :

    Miscellaneous


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    German



    Classification :

    DDC:    388 / 307




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