A surprising number of European Communitiessome 550 in all, in eight countriescurrently operate "car sharing" clubs. Press reports state that about 70,000 people belong to the European car share fleets, which number several thousand vehicles.
Car sharing has grown steadily in Europe since its beginnings more than 10 years ago, with some 40 active listed by the European Car Sharing Association. The movement also is beginning to get a governmental stamp of approval, at least at the local level.
Switzerland is at the leading edge of this development, with car sharing clubs in most larger communities. Some 450 shared-use vehicles are available at 220 stations in Zurich, and around 1,200 cars at 800 stations throughout the country.
Approximately half of all 700 Swiss train stations provide car-sharing lots, allowing intermodal vacation trips or travel blending from most Swiss cities and towns.
The movement is still in its infancy in the U.S., with nonprofit and private groups operating shared car programs involving a few hundred vehicles in a handful of cities. Planning is underway in perhaps a dozen more cities.
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