The car sharing sector will be shaped by five trends in 2026, according to shared mobility tech firm Invers.

The car sharing sector in Europe will centre around five key trends in 2026

Discussions with customers and experts have revealed that market development this year will centre around autonomous and tele-driven vehicles, the shutdown of 2G and 3G, new electric vehicles, asset protection, and integration into public transportation and comprehensive mobility concepts.

Data from Invers shows that, over 2025, the car sharing industry was mainly marked by a strategic shift from expansion to profitability. In terms of size, European car sharing fleets, both station-based and free-floating, reached approximately 129,000 vehicles, growing about 8% in the past 12 months.

This, said Invers, confirms that car sharing remains in a growth phase, even as some operators consolidate their footprints and exit weaker markets, as shown by Zipcar’s exit from the UK.

Bharath Devanathan, chief business officer at Invers, said: “Rising vehicle and maintenance costs for private users, limited space in urban areas, together with tight city regulations and zero-emission targets, are making car sharing central to urban mobility policy.

“At the same time, we hear from customers and industry experts that these developments are also prompting operators to examine unit economics and optimise operations to improve margins through new technologies.”

Five key trends for car sharing over 2026

1. New regulation pushes autonomous mobility and teledriving

The concept of teledriving has been trialled in the EU for some time. New legislation is now paving the way for its expansion. In Germany, a legal framework for teledriving came into effect on 1 December 2025, initially limited to a period of five years. Vay, a start-up from Berlin, has already been testing driverless rental cars since 2024 in Las Vegas, where remote-control driving is permitted. Customers can order a rental car via an app, and the vehicle arrives driverless right outside their front door. After the journey, the remote driver takes over again.

Green Mobility, a leading car sharing operator in Copenhagen, has been showcasing one of Europe’s first autonomous cars in November 2025, and is exploring the potential of shared autonomous cars.

2. Most countries will shut down 2G and 3G soon

Many countries have already closed their 2G and 3G networks. Switzerland is expected to follow suit in 2026, by which time both technologies will be obsolete. France is planning to shut down its 3G networks by 2026. Several countries on all continents have already set dates for the ‘sunset’ of 2G and 3G in order to make room for next generation networks, such as 4G and 5G.

This also means that car sharing technology needs to adapt to these new requirements. According to Invers, the best option to solve this issue is the standard Long-Term Evolution for Machines (LTE-M). LTE-M is a low-power, wide-area cellular standard designed specifically for Internet of Things and machine-to-machine communications. It offers wide-area coverage, good mobility support, and multi-year battery life for devices that need moderate data rates, such as trackers, sensors, and smart meters. This standard will be available for many years to come, and is suitable for the requirements of the car sharing sector.

3. New EVs and hybrid models join fleets

In 2025, the Invers team analysed more than 90 EVs and hybrids, including new models such as the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid and the Genesis GV60. Recently, models such as the 5 E-Tech Electric from Renault, the T 10 from Togg, the EV3 from Kia, the C-HR Hybrid from Toyota and the Sealion 7 from BYD have been analysed for car sharing operations.

There is also a trend towards incorporating more hybrids into fleets, which offer the benefits of EV driving in inner-city operation, without the disadvantage of searching for charging stations. Car sharing companies continue to test EV models from China and new manufacturers, such as Togg from Turkey, to determine if they offer good value for car sharing. Furthermore, manufacturers use car sharing fleets to introduce models to a broader base for everyday users.

4. Asset protection is key to ensure profitability

As car sharing fleets and usage are growing, so is the risk of damage.

Invers refers to internal reports from car sharing operators which show that, while reckless driving behaviour accounts for only 1-2% of vehicle rentals, it is responsible for more than 40% of all damage costs. Damage and associated costs, as well as rising insurance prices, are among the main challenges currently facing car sharing operators.

As such, protecting and maintaining the quality of vehicles is a key factor in ensuring operator profitability. Focusing on asset protection through efficient strategies and systems is becoming an increasingly useful and inevitable requirement for successful businesses. Asset protection also increases vehicle uptime, which has a direct impact on profitability.

5. Car sharing as part of mobility infrastructure

Car sharing is no longer seen as a niche mobility mode, mainly used in urban areas, but is increasingly integrated into cities’ overall mobility infrastructure. Politicians and administrators are actively incorporating car sharing into urban development plans by creating usage areas and forming partnerships.

Invers points to Flinkster, Deutsche Bahn’s car sharing service, as an example. This combines local and long-distance public transport with car sharing. The concept of condo car sharing, which is private car sharing for neighbourhoods, is being introduced by car sharing providers such as Carré Mobility. The integration of car sharing into the mobility infrastructure is leading to a change in mobility behaviour and fewer cars in cities, creating more usable and green spaces in urban areas. Recent studies have shown that one car sharing vehicle can replace up to 23 private vehicles.