Benefits of Shared Mobility: Reduced Carbon Footprint

Belgium has emerged as a role model on Europe’s path toward sustainability. According to the latest greenhouse gas inventory report published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) in August 2025, the country has made significant strides in decarbonization. By 2023, Belgium recorded a net reduction of 44.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent compared to 1990 levels. This figure is particularly striking when contrasted with data from the late nineties, specifically 1996, when emissions peaked at 154.5Mt CO2 eq.

To reach these targets, multiple measures were implemented to curb CO2 emissions. One of these is car sharing a "green action" that helps maintain a healthy, low-carbon environment. Consequently, it receives full backing from the Low Emission Mobility plan promoted by Environnement Brussels, a project dedicated to improving air quality and public health within the Brussels-Capital Region. The specific benefits of car sharing are outlined below:

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Reduction in Fleet Size

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The efficiency of shared mobility lies in its ability to optimize existing resources. According to Alain Maron, Minister for the Environment, Social Action, and Health, a single shared vehicle has the potential to replace up to fifteen cars on the road. This was corroborated by a 2022 study by Autodelen.net, which analyzed the impact of car sharing and modal shift on private vehicle ownership. Data shows that in the Flanders region, one shared car replaces an average of 3 to 10 private cars, drastically lightening the vehicular load in urban centers.

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Lower CO2 Emissions

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According to the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (2015), individuals who participate in car sharing emit between 175 and 265 kilograms less CO2 per year. This reduction is directly linked to the decline in vehicle ownership.

These savings represent between 8% and 13% of CO2 emissions related to car use and ownership. Approximately half of this improvement stems from reduced car usage, while the other half is due to lower ownership rates. This transition is highly logical considering that, on average, a car spends 95% of its time parked and is only utilized for one to two hours a day.

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Reduction of the Vehicle Fleet (Parc Automobile)

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A shrinking fleet doesn't just benefit the atmosphere; it transforms the urban landscape by reducing the need for parking infrastructure. This phenomenon generates positive ripple effects, such as decreased traffic congestion and lower costs associated with owning a parking space. (Read the following article for more details on this topic).

In Brussels, thanks to an agreement between the city and the Regional Parking Agency, the strategy for 2026 focuses on reducing on-street parking. The plan includes creating 10,000 secure bicycle parking spots and an additional 10,000 short-stay spots, prioritizing light mobility over private cars.

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The Rise of Car Sharing in Belgium

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Growth in this sector is unstoppable. According to the 2025 Way to Go report, the most impactful trend comes precisely from car sharing. Although the total number of vehicles remains relatively small (398 cars, representing 5% of the Belgian total), the growth rate is impressive. Round-trip car sharing grew by 22% in 2025, while the number of active users rose by 16%, marking the strongest growth of any region.

Between 2020 and 2025, this modality has more than doubled (+150%), signaling a structural shift where car sharing is evolving from a niche phenomenon into a genuine alternative to ownership. This momentum places Belgium at the forefront of Europe with an index of 6.5, surpassing Germany (5.4), the Netherlands (5.2), France (2.1), and Italy (1.5).

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If you want to help drive change and improve our environment by transforming your fleet into digital shared mobility, I invite you to contact us so we can achieve this change together.