Everything you need to know before you start your car-sharing project
June 21, 2021
min. read
So you have chosen the type of vehicle. And of all the transportation means available you have decided that you’ll use cars for your sharing business. Congratulations! You have done the most challenging part. Congratulations! 🥳 😆 The next step is to create a business plan. As this too is not the easiest of tasks, we’ve created a guide for you highlighting the most important things to consider before starting hands-on.
There are a lot of different approaches to start from, but let's start with the one that opens up a wider perspective of your future playground. And this is all about the market assessment. So why not start with the demographic assessment that will later help you to define your target audience.
Demographic assessment is the understanding of your customer profile and finding out how many people meet those criteria in the area you are planning to operate. For example, if your customer profile is young people without their own cars, but for whom having one would make their life easier, you are in the right place. However, it could be that the same age group is not interested in using the car-sharing service because, for example, distances are too small or young people are working in the city nearby and coming home just for the weekend and have no need for a car. There might be different scenarios and each of them should be analyzed separately.
Look at competitors
If there are competitors in the area you’re interested in, this could be both a good as well as a not-so-good sign. It is also a good sign in terms of demand - it means that the service is required in the area in question. However, it could be that market is too small for several companies to operate in, so you should carefully research how many players the market can take.
In addition, consider obtaining all the information you can have about your competitors - their fleet size, how many rides each vehicle makes per day and per month, and their pricing strategy. Any credible source of information works. For example, consider looking into local media. Sometimes company representatives are talkative about their success and future plans so it could be useful for you to analyze the market. You can also use their service and, for example, analyze vehicle odometers from time to time to calculate the distance that a vehicle travels within a week.
There are also talkative customers, who might be willing to share their likes and dislikes about your competitor’s service with you. This could also be a very important source of the information about the business.
Wide range of possible future customers - B2C, B2B, P2P
At the beginning of this article, you might get the feeling that car sharing is about the business-to-consumer (B2C). But your customer could also be another business. For example with the help of your service companies can rent out their vehicles to corporates as well as to logistics, delivery, or even construction companies if the appropriate vehicle type is available. These are not very common solutions and car-sharing is used more often to offer vehicles to people, but some companies also operate very successfully in B2B settings.
However, there are several types of B2C car sharing. There is an option where are the owner of cars and you rent them out with the help of your platform. Car owners could also be other businesses that rent out cars to regular consumers while they are not using them. Another option is peer-to-peer (P2P) renting - people rent out vehicles to other people while they are not using them.
In all these cases, your car-sharing platform is going to be a tool that will help to make cars available. For you, the platform is going to be the most important driver of your revenues.
Regular or electric?
There are fans and supporters of both - regular as well as electric cars. However, personal opinions do not play a crucial role here. What really matters is financial reasoning:
- What is the price of the car? What's the difference in price between regular and electric cars?
- If you have to take a loan, does the bank somehow support one or another type of car?
- Can you get support from the state or the city council? For example, are there special fees for parking electric vehicles that could reduce your costs while the car awaits the next driver?
- What about taxes? Do reduced taxes apply if you use environmentally friendly vehicles?
Price and costs
When you make your choice, in the framework of your business plan you should also plan one step further and look at values like insurance and maintenance costs. A vehicle is one of the most important assets if you decide to have one, but also it generates most of your costs.
At this point, you should already focus on deciding what the price for your service will be. In addition to all nuances mentioned above, you should also take into account the prices that your competitors offer, as well as other costs - salaries for your employees, premises’ rental, etc. And, last but not least, what is your profit going to be and how will you earn money?
One more cost item that you should consider is marketing costs. However, this is a bit easier as these costs are relatively easy to predict and control. Bear in mind though that if you don't invest enough in attracting customers, you won't generate enough revenue. And marketing doesn't end with advertising campaigns. It’s important to create your brand and find your unique selling point - how are you going to be different? You can read more about marketing and other things to keep in mind in this blog post “How to launch a vehicle sharing business in 6 steps?”
Technological challenges
The sharing business is complicated from a technological perspective as vehicles should be connected to the software that is connected to the platform used to operate the business. And the platform is also connected to the app used by customers. Everything should work smoothly together. At ATOM we are making life better for those who are willing to use ready-made solutions. However, there are companies that are thinking of creating technical solutions from scratch. This is possible, but you should really ask yourself is it worth it? In this blog post “A white label solution or building your own software - what to choose for your vehicle sharing business?” you can find out more.
That's it! After all these decisions have been made, it seems like you could be ready to go! Finally, let's sum up how much time it takes from business plan to launch:
- ideas and draft of your go-to-market strategy - 1-2 weeks;
- market analysis by taking into account competitors as well as customers - 2 weeks;
- tech decisions on cars and IoT solutions - 1-3 weeks;
- preparing the budget - 1 week (+ at least 15 weeks if funding is required;
- operational plan - 2 weeks;
- hiring - 3 weeks;
- software - 2-4 weeks (in case of using white label solution);
- testing & soft launch - 1 week.
So the most optimistic scenario is that you will be ready to launch your car-sharing business in three to four months. A critical component in managing a successful car sharing operation is reliable technology. Car sharing software plays a fundamental role in automating bookings, managing fleets, and enhancing customer service. To explore our solutions, learn more about our car sharing software. Contact ATOM for additional information. We are here to help our clients succeed.
Interested in launching your own mobility platform?
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How to find your niche in the competitive ride-hail market: real-world examples of businesses that resonate
💡Want to break into the ride-hail market but don know what’s your angle and how to make yourself visible in an already packed field? Check out how InDrive, BLACWOLF, and COMIN found their unique angles to thrive in a competitive space! 🚗
December 18, 2024
min. read
The ride-hail market is crowded, fiercely competitive, and often dominated by household names like Uber and Bolt. But don’t let the giants fool you into thinking there’s no place for you. With some creative thinking and a unique angle, you can get on the road quite quickly. The secret? Finding the one thing that sets you apart from others. Let’s explore how some notable players (both veterans and newcomers) have done just that.
InDrive: A pioneer in price negotiation
🔹 Over 200M downloads, active in 700+ cities across 45+ countries
🔹 Unique feature: Set your price - Riders offer a fare, and drivers can accept or negotiate!
🔹 Drivers pay no commission, just a small monthly subscription, giving them better earnings.
🔹 Unique market entry: Initially free usage for drivers (no commission, no subscription).
Before we discuss the latest players, let’s revisit InDrive, a company that entered the market years ago with an approach that sounds almost too simple to work – offer your price.
The idea is straightforward. Instead of accepting a fixed fare, riders suggest how much they’re willing to pay. Drivers, in turn, can accept, counter, or reject the offer. It’s a dynamic that mirrors haggling at a bazaar but digitized for the modern commuter.
This model resonated. Riders felt empowered, and drivers appreciated the flexibility, especially in sensitive markets where fair pricing is a concern. InDrive rapidly scaled across emerging markets like Latin America, Russia, and Southeast Asia, regions where affordability and negotiation are cultural norms.
The takeaway here? InDrive’s “offer your price” model wasn’t just a fun gimmick, but a solution tailored to specific markets and demographics, offering fair rides to anyone who needs it. If you’re entering the ride-hail space, ask yourself: what unique cultural or social nuance can you leverage to disrupt the market in the region?
BLACWOLF: The armed and ready approach
🔹 Unique feature: Focus on rider security with armed & trained drivers 🛡️
🔹 Launched in Atlanta (2023), now expanding across Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and soon Houston, Austin, and Dallas!
🔹 Over 300K downloads in just 1.5 years.
Now, let’s fast-forward to the present and head to the U.S., where BLACWOLF has entered the scene (launched in Atlanta, 2023), now expanding across Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and soon Houston, Austin, and Dallaswith an eyebrow-raising twist: drivers who carry firearms.
BLACWOLF was launched in response to concerns over driver and passenger safety. Their USP (unique selling proposition) is ensuring peace of mind through armed drivers. As their slogan says, “We didn't reinvent ride-hailing; we just made it safer.”
As controversial as it sounds, it’s resonating in specific markets like Houston, where personal security is a priority for many.
This approach has gained traction, especially among passengers who prioritize safety or feel underserved by existing ride-hail platforms. Of course, it’s not without its challenges. Regulatory hurdles and liability concerns spring to mind; however, BLACWOLF is scaling rapidly, proving that a polarizing angle can still be a winning one.
Don’t shy away from bold ideas that cater to real pain points. Whether it’s safety, convenience, or cost, identifying an underserved need can help you stand out in a crowded market.
COMIN: France’s bid-for-ride disruptor
🔹 Unique features: Offering a fair 10% commission and Set your price feature (similar to inDrive).
🔹 Quickly onboarded 6,000 drivers, capturing 15% of the market in record time.
Over in Europe, a fresh player called COMIN is shaking things up in France. This newcomer has onboarded 6,000 drivers, taking 15% of the French market almost overnight, a feat that’s turning heads across the industry.
COMIN’s secret sauce? A bidding system that allows passengers to submit offers for rides, giving drivers the choice to accept or negotiate. Yes, it’s like InDrive, but with a hyper-local twist tailored to France’s market dynamics.
To fuel their growth, they’ve also raised €300,000 in seed funding from Station F, Europe’s largest startup incubator. By focusing on one market and perfecting their model, COMIN has avoided doing too much at once—proof that a focused approach often trumps trying to be everything to everyone.
For aspiring ride-hail entrepreneurs, COMIN serves as a case study in starting small but thinking big. Specializing in one region or demographic before expanding can help you gain traction and refine your offering.
The ride-hail market may look like a fortress, but even the strongest walls have cracks. With creativity, boldness, and the right platform to support your vision, there’s no reason you can’t break through and thrive. Are you ready?
How ATOM Mobility can help
So, you’ve got your groundbreaking idea. What’s next? To turn your vision into a reality, you’ll need a robust platform to build on—and that’s where ATOM Mobility comes in.
ATOM provides a ready-made platform for entrepreneurs looking to launch ride-hailing or mobility services. With customizable tools, seamless integrations, and scalable tech, ATOM lets you focus on your unique value proposition while we handle the backend.
Ready to make your mark in the ride-hail world? Join ATOM Mobility today and start your journey!
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Cracking the code of car sharing: Best technology for car sharing business
🚘💡 What keeps cars in car-sharing businesses connected? From CAN bus and OBD devices to cutting-edge IoT providers like Teltonika, Invers and Geotab, it’s all about the hardware!
November 27, 2024
min. read
Car sharing is more than just a trend—it’s a game-changer for urban mobility, helping people access vehicles without the headache of owning them. But what makes it all work? Let us introduce the tech behind car sharing and explore how companies like ATOM Mobility make it easier to start and scale your shared mobility business profitably.
The three pillars of car sharing technology
At the heart of every car-sharing operation are three key technologies that connect vehicles to platforms: CAN bus, OBD, and OEM telematics. Here’s what they do and why they matter:
1. CAN Bus: The car’s internal network
The Controller Area Network (CAN) bus acts like a car’s central nervous system, allowing different components to talk to each other. It delivers detailed data—fuel levels, battery status, or even tire pressure—directly to your car-sharing platform. This deep integration also allows remote actions like locking or starting the vehicle.
However, CAN systems require professional installation, which can mean higher upfront costs. For larger operators with fleets that need granular control and detailed diagnostics, it’s a must-have.
2. OBD: Affordable and easy to deploy
On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) devices are the plug-and-play heroes of car sharing. Simply connect them to the car’s diagnostic port, and you’ve got instant access to location, speed, and engine health. They’re affordable, quick to set up, and ideal for small-to-medium operators just getting started.
That said, OBD devices offer less functionality compared to CAN. They’re perfect for a more basic setup but might not suit operators who need advanced data or remote vehicle controls.
3. OEM Telematics: Factory-installed genius
OEM telematics systems come pre-installed in many modern cars. These systems provide seamless connectivity and are highly reliable, enabling features like real-time tracking, diagnostics, and remote locking.
The downside? OEM telematics tie you to the car manufacturer’s system, which can limit customization. If your fleet is from a single brand, this is a fantastic option. For mixed-brand fleets, integrating other devices might make more sense.
The IoT providers helping you succeed
Beyond these three core technologies, IoT providers offer additional tools to supercharge your car-sharing operations. Here are four standout names making waves in the industry:
Teltonika
WEB: https://teltonika-gps.com
Headquartered in Lithuania, Teltonika has been at the forefront of IoT since 1998. With over 1,600 employees, the company specializes in GPS trackers and other connected devices that bring real-time tracking, security, and driver behavior analysis to your fleet. Their scalable solutions are ideal for growing car-sharing businesses.
Geotab
WEB: https://www.geotab.com
Based in Canada, Geotab supports over 2 million vehicles worldwide with its advanced fleet management tools. Their telematics devices don’t just track vehicles—they provide insights into fuel efficiency, maintenance needs, and safety. For operators focused on data-driven optimization, Geotab is a top choice.
INVERS
WEB: https://invers.com/en/solutions/cloudboxx
Germany’s INVERS is a leader in shared mobility tech, offering the CloudBoxx device to connect vehicles with car-sharing platforms. Easy to integrate and reliable, CloudBoxx ensures a smooth experience for operators and users alike. With a strong presence in Europe and North America, INVERS is a trusted name in the industry.
Acacus
WEB: https://www.acacusgroup.com
Operating out of the UAE, Acacus combines IoT and AI to deliver smart mobility solutions. Their tech is widely used in government projects and private fleets, especially in regions embracing smart cities. Acacus brings innovation and reliability to shared mobility operators aiming for cutting-edge solutions.
How ATOM Mobility comes into the picture?
Technology is only as good as the platform that connects it all. That’s where ATOM Mobility shines.
ATOM’s software integrates seamlessly with devices from Teltonika, Geotab, INVERS, and others, making it simple to connect your fleet and manage everything from a single dashboard. No matter the size of your operation, ATOM provides tools for real-time tracking, user management, and secure payments—all with intuitive design and full support.
Whether you’re launching your first car-sharing fleet or expanding across multiple cities, ATOM helps you scale profitably and with confidence. We make the technical stuff easy so you can focus on growing your business.
Why is car sharing the future?
Urban living is changing. People are moving away from car ownership, opting instead for flexible, on-demand solutions like car sharing. It’s convenient, cost-effective, and kinder to the planet.
With tech like CAN, OBD, OEM telematics, and IoT devices driving the industry forward, the potential for shared mobility is enormous. But to succeed, operators need the right tools to manage fleets, optimize performance, and deliver a great user experience.
Join us
Ready to start your car-sharing journey? Book a demo with ATOM Mobility and let’s get moving!
Driver App demo credentials - Email: test@atom.com, Password: driver
