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Is car sharing profitable in 2025?
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Is car sharing profitable in 2025?

🚗💡 Is car sharing still a profitable business in 2025? Short answer – yes, if done right. From rising fleet costs to smarter user behavior and green transport trends, the shared mobility game is changing fast. Learn what makes a car sharing business work today – and why some succeed while others shut down. 👉 Real stories, data-backed tips, and practical advice for operators and mobility founders.

In 2024, the global car-sharing market was valued at approximately €8.9 billion, with Europe accounting for over 50.2% of that total. Analysts forecast it will grow at a CAGR of 11.8% between 2025 and 2033, reaching roughly €24.4 billion by 2033. This blend of urbanization, environmental regulation and a growing preference for flexible mobility continues to create fertile ground for operators - yet not every service finds a clear path to profitability.

Success hinges on your location, business model, fleet, operations and local market dynamics. There are strong success stories, but also many high-profile failures. Here’s a closer look at what really affects profitability in today’s car-sharing market - and what you can learn from real-world cases.

What makes a car-sharing business profitable?

Profitability in car sharing boils down to securing enough paid usage while keeping costs under control. Every unused hour or unnecessary expense erodes margins.

Key factors:

  • Fleet utilization – the most important metric. Cars need to be in use several hours each day to cover fixed costs.
  • Operational efficiency – cleaning, charging, relocation, maintenance and insurance add up quickly.
  • Fleet acquisition – leasing usually optimizes cash flow and scalability, but still carries fixed monthly expenses.
  • Pricing and competition – too low cuts margins; too high drives away users. Finding the right balance is essential.
  • Tech stack – a robust platform automates operations, improves customer experience and reduces support costs.

The operators who win are those who combine solid daily usage with lean operations.

❌ PANEK S.A. suspends its car-sharing service to focus on rental

29 March 2025 marked the end of Panek’s car-sharing experiment. Despite peaking at 2 700–3 000 vehicles, Panek never turned a profit in over seven years.

About Panek

  • Launch: Car sharing added in 2017 by Maciej Panek, entirely internally funded (no VC)
  • Fleet mix: City cars, hybrids, EVs, cargo vans and vintage models
  • 2023 acquisition: Regional Rent (+ 45% fleet), making Panek Poland’s largest integrated rental/operator

2024 performance

  • Revenue split: Car sharing ≈ 20 % of total. Traditional rental 80 %
  • Utilization: 0.7–1.0 rides/car/day
  • Maintenance & overhead: Up to €690/car-month
  • Profitability: Negative since inception

Why it failed

  1. Under-utilization: < 1 ride/day vs. ~ 2-4 rides/day needed to cover fixed costs
  2. Price wars: Fierce competition in Warsaw eroded margins and drove up customer-acquisition costs
  3. High OPEX: Parking, maintenance, insurance and vandalism pushed costs > €690 per car each month
  4. Tech drag: Two-year outsourced app development cycle meant poor UX and slow feature delivery
  5. No public support: Missed out on parking incentives or EV subsidies

Faced with persistent losses, Panek’s leadership refocused on profitable core segments: daily/weekly rentals, corporate leasing and Fleet-as-a-Service.

🚗 WiBLE Spain finds its profitable lane in Madrid

WiBLE (50/50 joint venture between Kia Europe and Repsol) launched in 2018 and has just closed its second consecutive year with positive EBITDA.

  • Fleet: 600+ plug-in hybrids (Kia Niro, XCeed, Ceed Tourer)
  • 2024 revenue: €6.93 million (+ 5% vs. 2023)
  • Usage: ~1 500 trips/day ⇒ 2.5 rides/car/day
  • Diversification: Monthly rentals (€599+) now 5% of revenue
  • Market share: ~19% of Madrid’s car-sharing market

Key enablers:

  1. Higher utilization – rides up 15% YoY, driving a 10% lift in core revenue
  2. Fleet scale efficiencies – added 150 vehicles in 2 years, lowering per-unit costs
  3. Service diversification – multi-day and monthly rental options opened new revenue streams

After five years of absorbing fixed-cost drag and depreciation, WiBLE now leverages Madrid’s regulatory environment (low-emission zones, parking benefits) and delivers lean, tech-driven operations.

🚗 SOCAR South Korea: scale + longer rentals

SOCAR (backed by SoftBank, SK Inc. and Lotte Group) operates 20 000 vehicles, generates nearly €300 million in annual turnover and has 20% of South Koreans signed up.

  • Model: Station-based, pay-per-minute with average rental duration of a whoping 12 hrs
  • Segmentation trick: Aging cars shift from on-demand sharing to long-term monthly rentals (10% of revenue), extending resale life with minimal depreciation impact

By pairing massive scale with savvy car lifecycle management, extra-long rental duration, SOCAR converts high utilization into robust profitability.

🚗 Carguru (Latvia)

30 August 2024: Carguru (est. 2017) acquired EV-focused OX Drive (est. 2021), adding 200+ Tesla to the fleet.

  • Growth: From just 30 cars and total budget below 500 000 EUR (2017) to over 1 000 cars (mid-2025) via leasing and strategic partnerships
  • 2023 turnover: €4 million; 435 000 trips (+35.9 %); 7 million km driven; profit €375 600

Outcome: A combined ICE, hybrid and EV fleet—backed by local expertise and strategic acquisitions - has driven strong growth and high utilization.

🎯 Core suggestions for aspiring operators

  1. Target 2–4 rides/day per vehicle
    • Leverage dynamic/off-peak pricing, B2B partnerships (hotels, offices) and event tie-ins.
  2. Contain OPEX via automation
    • Use predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics and gig-economy cleaning/relocation.
  3. Secure municipal support early
    • Negotiate parking incentives, EV charging access and low-emission zone permits.
  4. Choose your tech wisely
    • Build an in-house development team for full control with higher costs, or adopt a proven white-label platform for speed to market, stability and lower costs.
  5. Validate unit economics before scaling
    • Prove break-even utilization in one zone before expanding to others.

With clear benchmarks and smart execution - drawing on lessons from Panek, WiBLE, SOCAR and Carguru - car sharing can still be a highly profitable component of a modern mobility portfolio.

If you’re planning to start or improve your service, ATOM Mobility is ready to help. We’ve built the platform and supported dozens of teams worldwide - reach out, and we’ll share what we’ve learned.

Image credit: https://kursors.lv/2018/03/13/carguru-palielina-autoparku-un-paplasina-darbibas-zonas-mikrorajonos

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Introducing ATOM Mobility OpenAPI: Empowering mobility operators with seamless integrationsIntroducing ATOM Mobility OpenAPI: Empowering mobility operators with seamless integrations
Introducing ATOM Mobility OpenAPI: Empowering mobility operators with seamless integrations

✅ ATOM Mobility has launched OpenAPI v1 - giving vehicle-sharing, rental, and ride-hailing operators full control to integrate their services into MaaS platforms, websites, and partner apps. Discover how this powerful tool can help you expand reach, automate operations, and drive more bookings.

Read post

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of the ATOM Mobility OpenAPI v1 - a major step toward enabling mobility operators to seamlessly integrate their services with third-party platforms, partner systems, and custom applications.

With the OpenAPI, ATOM Mobility opens up new possibilities for businesses running vehicle-sharing, rental, and ride-hailing services to extend their digital reach, enhance customer experience, and unlock new revenue streams.

What is an OpenAPI and why does it matter?

An OpenAPI (or application programming interface) is a set of standardized protocols that allows external software systems to interact with your platform. In simple terms, it acts like a bridge between your mobility service and the outside world — enabling secure data sharing and functional integration.

For mobility businesses, OpenAPIs have become a key tool for:

  • Displaying fleet availability in Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms
  • Enabling ride or rental bookings directly from external platforms (websites, apps, kiosks)
  • Automating back-office workflows and data pipelines
  • Enhancing customer service tools with real-time ride information

What makes ATOM Mobility’s OpenAPI different?

While many mobility providers offer GBFS (General Bikeshare Feed Specification) to share read-only data (ATOM Mobility will continue supporting GBFS) - such as vehicle locations and availability - these feeds are typically limited to visibility. Users still need to switch to a provider's app to complete the ride.

ATOM Mobility’s OpenAPI is different. It offers full read-write access to the core functions of your platform - similar to what operators can already do in the back-office dashboard. This means that third-party apps can not only display your vehicles but also handle booking, payments, and ride management entirely within their own interface.

This is a game-changer for expanding your service footprint beyond your app.

What’s included in OpenAPI v1?

The first version of the OpenAPI supports all core modules — Vehicle sharing, Digital rental, and Ride-Hailing — with both public and private endpoints for:

  • User registration and authentication
  • Vehicle discovery and availability
  • Zone rules, pricing, and ride logic
  • Starting and ending rides or bookings
  • Accessing ride history and user activity
  • Enhanced actions: skip wallet checks, trigger some commands, bypass OTP, and more

Typical use cases

Here are some examples of how mobility operators are already planning to use the ATOM OpenAPI:

1. Deep MaaS platform integrations

Connect your fleet to fast-growing MaaS platforms, for example:

  • umob - a Dutch mobility booking app that recently raised €3.5M to expand its "all-in-one" MaaS experience across Europe. With OpenAPI, your vehicles could be fully bookable and payable directly from their interface.
  • Moovit – a mobility super-app used by over 1.7 billion riders in 3,500+ cities. Traditionally, Moovit displays vehicles using GBFS and redirects users to provider apps - with OpenAPI, the entire booking could happen inside Moovit.
  • Jelbi (Berlin) - Germany’s flagship MaaS platform, integrating 12+ operators, including car-sharing, scooters, and public transport. A direct API integration offers visibility and usage on one of Europe’s most advanced multimodal networks.

2. Bookings via your website

Allow users to book rentals or ride directly from your website without needing to download an app upfront. This is especially useful for tourists, first-time users or hotels. The app would only be needed to unlock the vehicle or track the driver (in case of ride-hailing).

3. B2B partner integrations

Want to offer mobility through hotels, offices, or real estate platforms? Now they can show your vehicles and complete bookings within their apps - driving high-value B2B usage without manual overhead.

4. Customer support automation

Support agents can pull up a rider’s active trip data in external helpdesk tools using ride ID endpoints - improving efficiency and resolution speed.

5. Custom dashboards and analytics

Build your own reporting layer by pulling real-time and historical ride, user, and revenue data into tools like Power BI, Tableau, or custom CRMs.

How to enable the OpenAPI?

The OpenAPI is available to all ATOM clients on the Premium Plan, which includes:

  • Access to full OpenAPI documentation and developer tools
  • 100,000 API requests per month included in your support fee
  • Technical assistance from the ATOM team for setup and testing

Ready to expand your mobility ecosystem?

Whether you’re exploring new channels, seeking B2B integrations, or joining a MaaS platform, the ATOM OpenAPI gives you the tools to scale faster and smarter. Want to learn more or schedule a call with our integrations team?
Contact us: https://www.atommobility.com/ask

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Micro-mobility market consolidation heats up: ATOM Mobility acquires ScootAPIMicro-mobility market consolidation heats up: ATOM Mobility acquires ScootAPI
Micro-mobility market consolidation heats up: ATOM Mobility acquires ScootAPI

In a significant move signaling further consolidation within the micro-mobility software sector, industry leader ATOM Mobility announced its strategic acquisition of ScootAPI. The deal, finalized on June 1, 2025, strengthens ATOM Mobility's dominant position in the B2B SaaS Micro-Mobility market.

Read post

In a significant move signaling further consolidation within the micro-mobility software sector, industry leader ATOM Mobility announced its strategic acquisition of ScootAPI.

The deal, finalized on June 1, 2025, strengthens ATOM Mobility's dominant position in the B2B SaaS Micro-Mobility market. This deal also marks a successful and timely exit for ScootAPI founder, George Kachanouski, who is already channeling his entrepreneurial energy into a new AI Venture in stealth mode for now.

For years, both ATOM Mobility and ScootAPI have been key players, providing essential software solutions for micro-mobility operators worldwide. This acquisition sees ATOM Mobility, led by CEO Arturs Burnins, proactively solidifying its market leadership. The move was driven by a strategic imperative to win the top spot in a competitive landscape by integrating ScootAPI’s valuable assets and client base.


About ATOM Mobility:

Founded in 2018 by Arturs Nikiforovs and CEO Arturs Burnins, ATOM Mobility empowers entrepreneurs to launch and scale mobility platforms worldwide, including vehicle sharing (scooters, bikes, mopeds, cars), digital rental, and ride-hailing businesses. With a suite of products including customizable rider apps, comprehensive dashboards, operator apps, and robust analytics, ATOM Mobility supports over 200 projects and 35,000 vehicles, facilitating over 1,000,000 rides monthly. The company is committed to providing reliable, agile, and well-designed technology with a strong focus on customer revenue growth and system stability, aiming to be the leader in B2B SaaS for micro-mobility.

About ScootAPI:

Founded in 2019 by CEO George Kachanouski, ScootAPI established itself as a significant player in the micro-mobility software space. The company delivered a robust white-label SaaS platform that empowered entrepreneurs and operators worldwide, successfully launching more than 50 distinct micro-mobility projects across diverse international markets. ScootAPI was dedicated to fostering 'smart' city transportation, thereby contributing to reduced CO2 emissions and an improved quality of urban life for communities worldwide.

"This is an acceleration moment for ATOM Mobility and the micro-mobility SaaS market as a whole," said Arturs Burnins, CEO of ATOM Mobility. "Acquiring ScootAPI aligns with our strategy to lead the industry and provide the most comprehensive, reliable, and innovative solutions to operators globally. We're excited to welcome ScootAPI’s clients into the ATOM Mobility platform, further accelerating the growth and efficiency of shared mobility worldwide."

For George, this move wasn't initially on his roadmap. He was invested in ScootAPI's growth. However, the recent explosion in AI technology sparked a new, compelling passion. “Selling ScootAPI wasn't something I was planning to do," George admitted. "We had built a good product, and the journey was far from over in my mind. But then the AI revolution really took off, and I found myself completely captivated by the potential of agentic workflows to automate business processes. The idea of building a new company in the AI space, something potentially even bigger and on a brand new frontier, became incredibly exciting."

As the transition moves ahead, George remains confident that ScootAPI's clients are in good hands. “ATOM Mobility has a clear vision and the technical depth to support operators long-term,” he said. “That was important to me. I didn’t want to hand things over to just anyone – I wanted to be sure the people relying on our platform would still be supported and able to grow.”

The integration of ScootAPI into ATOM Mobility promises a smooth transition for clients, who will now benefit from an expanded suite of features and robust support under the ATOM Mobility umbrella, further streamlining operations for micro-mobility entrepreneurs globally.

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Top mobility conferences to attend this year: Must-see events for 2025Top mobility conferences to attend this year: Must-see events for 2025
Top mobility conferences to attend this year: Must-see events for 2025

🌍 🚗 Want to stay on top of the latest trends in mobility? Check out the must-attend conferences in 2025! From urban transportation to micromobility, these events offer great networking opportunities and valuable insights into the future of mobility. 👉 ATOM Mobility will be at several events, so make sure to stop by our booth and chat with us!

Read post

The mobility industry is rapidly evolving, and staying ahead means connecting with the right people, discovering new technologies, and learning from experts. Conferences are a great way to do just that. Whether you’re a policy maker, an entrepreneur, or a fleet manager, the year ahead is packed with events where you can grow your network and gain valuable insights. Here’s a list of some of the top mobility conferences happening this year that are worth attending!

1. Velo-city 2025

The Velo-city conference is a must for anyone involved in urban transportation. With a focus on cycling and sustainable mobility, Velo-city brings together policy makers, city planners, and transportation experts to discuss how cities can become more bike-friendly and sustainable.
This year, ATOM Mobility will have a booth at the event, so if you’re attending, don’t forget to stop by and chat with our team. It’s a great opportunity to explore how new tech can make urban transportation smarter and more efficient.

Where: Gdansk, Poland
When: 10-13 June
Check it out: https://www.velo-city-conference.com

2. Micromobility Europe 2025

If you’re interested in micromobility – whether it’s e-scooters, bikes, or mopeds – Micromobility Europe is the place to be. This conference is the hub for mobility entrepreneurs, vehicle manufacturers, and operators of sharing services. You’ll hear from innovators in the space, explore the latest products, and attend workshops on everything from regulation to scaling your fleet.
At Micromobility Europe, ATOM Mobility will not only have a booth but our CEO will also be on a panel discussion on day two of the event (“Fleet Tech 2.0: The Tools Powering the Next Generation of Operators”). You can check out the full agenda here. We’d love to meet you, so make sure to stop by and say hi.

Where: Brussels, Belgium
When: 17-18 June
Check it out: https://micromobility.io

3. Gurtam Fleet Management Conference 2025

For fleet managers, car-sharing operators, and telematics professionals, the Gurtam Fleet Management Conference is a key event to attend. This conference focuses on optimizing fleet operations, the latest in vehicle tracking, and telematics technologies. ATOM Mobility will be among the visitors, and we’ll also be presenting on stage, where we’ll discuss some of the latest trends in fleet management and the use of AI ("AI-powered mobility: Vision, Precision, Prediction. A Look into How AI Transforms Fleet Parking Compliance, Vehicle Damage Detection, and Demand Forecasting.").
If you’re in the fleet management space, this is a great event to gather insights and share ideas with like-minded professionals.

Where: Vilnius, Lithuania
When: 10-11 September
Check it out: https://conference.gurtam.com

4. IAA Mobility 2025

One of the biggest mobility events in Europe, IAA Mobility gathers everyone from policymakers to automakers to discuss the future of transportation. With a wide range of topics including light electric vehicles (LEVs), micromobility, public transport, and Mobility as a Service (MaaS), this is a great conference for anyone interested in the broader scope of mobility.
Whether you’re looking to explore the latest in automotive technology or learn about policy changes affecting the mobility industry, IAA Mobility is a must-attend event.

Where: Munich, Germany
When: 9-12 September
Check it out: https://www.iaa-mobility.com/en 

5. Mobility Live Saudi 2025

If you’re looking to tap into the growing mobility market in Saudi Arabia and MENA, Mobility Live Saudi is one of the largest events focused on urban transportation in the region. The conference brings together policy makers, car rental entrepreneurs, and mobility infrastructure developers to discuss the latest trends and innovations in connected vehicles, MaaS, and micromobility.
It’s an exciting event to explore the unique challenges and opportunities in the Saudi Arabian market, especially in terms of infrastructure and emerging mobility solutions.

Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
When: 9-21 October
Check it out: https://www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/mobility-live-saudi

Why attend these conferences?

Each of these events offers a unique opportunity to connect with people in the mobility ecosystem. Whether you're looking to learn about new technologies, hear from industry experts, or network with potential partners, attending these conferences can help you stay ahead of the curve.
Plus, many of these events offer in-person interaction, which can be crucial for building strong relationships and fostering meaningful collaborations. From policy changes to new tech, these conferences are where you’ll find the insights that can shape the future of mobility.

Visit us at ATOM Mobility’s booths

If you plan on attending any of these conferences, make sure to stop by ATOM Mobility’s booth. We’ll be happy to talk about how we’re making micromobility, corporate car-sharing and mobility more efficient, sustainable, and accessible. Our team is excited to connect with fellow professionals, share insights, and discuss how we can all contribute to the future of mobility.

See you there!

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Where to buy scooters, bikes, and mopeds for your micromobility fleetWhere to buy scooters, bikes, and mopeds for your micromobility fleet
Where to buy scooters, bikes, and mopeds for your micromobility fleet

🛵 Planning to start a scooter, bike, or moped sharing service? Choosing the right vehicles is a huge part of your success. This guide explains where to buy used or new vehicles, what to expect from each option, and which brands are best for fleet operations.

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Starting a micromobility business means making smart decisions early on. One of the most important is choosing the right vehicles. Whether you're planning to launch a fleet of e-scooters, bikes, or mopeds, the vehicles you choose will affect how fast you can get to market, how much you spend upfront, and how reliable your service will be.

There are two main ways to source vehicles: buy them used or buy them new from manufacturers. Both have their pros and cons, depending on your goals, budget, and timeline.

Option 1: Buy used vehicles

Buying used scooters, bikes or mopeds can be a great way to reduce costs when starting out. This is especially useful if you're still testing the waters or want to launch quickly without investing too much.

Where to find them:

  • Cyclecure - Offers refurbished electric bikes and scooters, often with up to 60% savings compared to new. Each vehicle is inspected and comes with a 1-year warranty. A good example is their refurbished NIU NQi-series mopeds with warranty and ready-to-use condition – ideal for small-scale pilot projects.
  • Fleetser - A platform for sourcing and selling mobility fleets. You can find bulk listings of used and new e-vehicles, including sharing-ready scooters and mopeds. One recent example includes a fleet of used Segway Max G30 scooters in good condition with fleet discounts.
  • ATOM Mobility marketplace - Offers carefully selected scooters, bikes, and mopeds optimized for sharing. Vehicles come ready for fleet use, including IoT and software integration.

Pros:

  • Lower upfront cost
  • Faster delivery
  • Often no minimum order quantity (MOQ)

Cons:

  • Shorter lifespan or more maintenance
  • Limited or no warranty
  • Less consistency across fleet

Option 2: Buy new from manufacturers

If you're planning to scale or want full control from the start, buying new vehicles directly from a manufacturer or distributor might be a better fit. You get full warranty, better quality, and longer lifespan.

Where to buy:

  • Directly from the manufacturers. For example, OKAI, Navee, Niu, Feishen...
  • ATOM Mobility – Sometimes new and unused vehicle directly from other operators are listed there.
  • Cyclecure – Besides used vehicles, also offers new models from trusted brands.
  • Fleetser – Also lists brand new fleets available for order.

Pros:

  • Warranty and post-sale support (if you purchase directly from the manufacturer)
  • Brand-new condition and full lifecycle
  • Easier to scale with consistent models

Cons:

  • Higher initial investment
  • Longer delivery times (especially when shipping from Asia)
  • MOQ applies in most cases

New vs. Used – What to expect

If you're comparing both options, here are the main differences you should keep in mind:

Used vehicles are usually available faster and cost less upfront. You don’t have to commit to big orders and can start with just a few units. But they may need more maintenance, have shorter lifespan, and does not include any warranty.

New vehicles require more investment, but you get full warranty, latest models, and better support. Manufacturers may have minimum order requirements and longer delivery timelines, especially if shipping from Asia. However, the quality and reliability usually make up for it in the long run.

Most popular vehicle manufacturers (for direct orders)

If you're considering ordering directly from manufacturers, here are some of the most popular and proven brands used in shared mobility:

  • OKAI (okai.co) – Popular models: OKAI ES600P (durable scooter for sharing), OKAI EB100B (e-bike)
  • NAVEE (navee.tech) – Known for long-range, sharing-friendly scooters (reasonably priced)
  • Yadea (yadea.com) – Offers sharing-grade mopeds like G5 and G5L
  • NIU (niu.com) – Smart scooters and mopeds, including NQi-series, with good support
  • Fitrider (fitriderscooter.com) - mainly focused on scooters

Each of these manufacturers offers models built specifically for sharing and large fleets. Features like swappable batteries, fleet dashboards, and rugged design come standard.

Choosing the right supplier depends on your goals. If speed and low cost are most important, used vehicles may help you get started faster. If you're building something long-term, investing in new vehicles may pay off through better reliability and longer lifespan.

In both cases, make sure the vehicles you choose are compatible with your platform – and that spare parts and support will be available. ATOM Mobility works with both used and new fleets and can help match you with the right vehicle options.

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