New research from Uber Carshare reveals that Aussies are turning their backs on their cars, with 59% of car owners saying they’re driving less as costs of living continue to rise.
As a result, it says cars are sitting unused on driveways for an average of 161 hours out of 168 hours a week.
Uber Carshare says it gives Aussies access to cars for borrowers to rent by the hour or day, while generating revenue for car owners – making it easy to turn any car into a shared car.
It says there are approximately 20 million cars in Australia, but two fifths (41%) of Aussies use their cars less than four hours a week, and the rising cost of living has even driven 1.1 million Aussies to consider selling their cars.
In spite of a 148% increase in cars listed on Uber Carshare, it says almost half of Australians (48%) have not heard of or tried car-sharing.
Uber Carshare is suspending a mirror-balled disco car nestled between the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House and offering $1 million in Uber Carshare trips for new users to try the platform for themselves.
The stunt also serves as a reminder to car owners across Australia of the value of their underutilised cars. Nationally, Uber Carshare has paid over $60 million in earnings to car owners in Australia.
“We want everyone to think differently about how they get around, and our research shows that the current cost of living crisis has gotten Aussies rethinking many aspects of their spending, including the costs of owning a car,” Uber Carshare chief executive Will Davies says.
“Uber’s latest addition down under is Uber Carshare – the affordable car sharing option that lets people borrow a car that’s right for the trip or job at hand.
“We want everyone to join the carshare party, which is why we’re kicking off our introduction to Australia by giving away $1 million worth of trips,” he says.
