What Traditional Car Rental Companies Can Learn from Carsharing Startups
But instead of seeing carsharing as a threat, car rental businesses can see it as an opportunity. By adopting some of the strategies that make carsharing successful, they can modernize operations, expand their customer base, and secure long-term growth. Here are the key lessons traditional car rental companies can learn from carsharing startups.
1. Prioritize Seamless Customer Experience
Carsharing services are built with a digital-first mindset. From downloading an app to booking and unlocking a car, the process is quick, intuitive, and available 24/7.
Traditional rental processes often still involve paperwork, waiting at counters, and limited opening hours. Modern customers expect more.
Takeaway: Simplify onboarding, digitize contracts, and introduce self-service options like app-based bookings and keyless vehicle access. We can help with that.
2. Embrace Flexible Usage Models
Carsharing thrives because it offers short-term and on-demand rentals. Customers can book by the hour, choose one-way trips, and pick up cars in convenient locations.
In contrast, rental companies tend to offer rigid, daily-based pricing and limited pick-up/drop-off points.
Takeaway: Introduce hourly rentals, flexible return options, and neighborhood-based vehicle access to attract new segments.
3. Use Data to Drive Efficiency
Carsharing platforms rely heavily on real-time data. Fleet utilization, customer behavior, and dynamic pricing are constantly analyzed to maximize performance.
Many rental companies underuse their data, leaving potential revenue untapped.
Takeaway: Leverage analytics to improve fleet distribution, predict demand, and optimize pricing. Data is not just an operational tool - it’s a competitive advantage.
4. Diversify Revenue Streams
Carsharing startups often experiment with subscriptions, partnerships and ideas like bonus zones and bonus vehicles, a feature we developed for BeRider scootersharing. These options bring in recurring revenue and reach new audiences.
Rental companies risk being seen as one-dimensional if they only offer short-term rentals.
Takeaway: Explore subscription models, long-term rentals, corporate packages and other ideas for revenue streams.
5. Position Sustainability at the Core
Carsharing startups frequently integrate electric vehicles (EVs) and highlight their sustainability credentials. This resonates strongly with younger consumers and eco-conscious organizations.
Rental companies are in a perfect position to expand their EV fleets, but adoption is often slow and in some cases not very successful.
Takeaway: Consider positioning your business as a sustainability leader by adding EVs, enabling green mobility options, and communicating your impact. But not at all cost, only if it really works for you.
6. Build Stronger Customer Relationships
Carsharing startups often feel more like communities than services. They create loyalty through modern branding, digital engagement, and lifestyle positioning. At HoppyGo Mobility Platform we saw first hand how quickly BeRider became a love brand in Prague.
Rental companies often maintain a transactional relationship with customers.
Takeaway: Strengthen brand identity and invest in digital engagement. Communicate benefits beyond price - focus on convenience, flexibility, and lifestyle.
7. Make Technology the Backbone
Carsharing isn’t just about cars - it’s about technology. From telematics and keyless access to automated payments and real-time fleet monitoring, tech is what makes the model scalable.
Many rental companies still rely on fragmented systems or manual workflows, limiting their ability to innovate.
Takeaway: Adopt a modern mobility platform that centralizes fleet management, reservations, payments, and customer support. This reduces complexity and opens the door to new services.
Final Thoughts: Learning Without Reinventing the Wheel
Traditional rental companies don’t need to become startups overnight. But they can adopt the best practices that have made carsharing successful - and combine them with their existing strengths.
By focusing on customer experience, flexibility, data-driven operations, sustainability, and technology, rental companies can evolve into modern mobility providers.
At HoppyGo Mobility Platform, we enable this transformation. Our technology helps car rental companies, automotive manufacturers, and startups launch and scale innovative mobility services without the growing pains.
The future of mobility is shared, digital, and customer-centric. The question is: will traditional rental companies adapt, or be left behind? And just as importantly - will they let us help them on that journey? We certainly look forward to it.