Differences in car, bike and scooter sharing business models
February 25, 2020
min. read
The mobility industry is growing at a rapid rate, with innovations happening across cars, bikes and scooter sharing alike. This article explores the most recent advancements in the market and how industry leaders are finding new ways to compete. Learn about the different models for Mobility as a Service and what it means for the future of transportation.
Car Sharing Services
According to research by the Internet of Things, the number of carsharing service users across the world is expected to grow from 50.4 million people in 2018 to 227.1 million in 2023. The number of cars used for car sharing services is also forecasted to increase from 332,000 at the end of 2018 to 1.2 million by 2023. The rising demand for these services has driven more companies towards developing methods of sharing that go beyond traditional single use cars.
Image source: Internet of Things
Free Floating
A new model of car sharing that has recently grown in popularity is free floating carsharing, which allows users to pick up a car in one location and return it anywhere within a predefined Home Zone. Challenging the idea of ownership, this service currently has 3 million users worldwide, with over 30 thousand vehicles available across more than 50 cities.
there are currently over 30 thousand vehicles equipped with this service across more than 50 cities worldwide
Dailmer and BMW became a leader in the free floating industry when they merged their two car sharing services, Car2Go and DriveNow, in February 2019 to form SHARE NOW. With over four million members, the free floating car rental service is available in 18 major cities across Europe with a fleet of 20,500 vehicles to choose from. Members register through a mobile app, gaining access to the services for the cost of $0.32 per minute. The company covers the fixed costs of car loans, car insurance and car maintenance so users are able to enjoy the freedom of driving without the responsibility of ownership.
The largest benefit of free float car sharing is the higher demand that can be met on average per ride and car each day. However, this model still includes a lot of operational day-to-day tasks such as maintenance, relocating, fueling/charging that can require a larger team.
Station Based
The traditional model of car sharing services is station based, where users can pick-up vehicles from a fixed rental station after filling out paperwork in person or through a mobile app. After signing an agreement, the renter is able to drive the car wherever they would like. The lease ends once the car is returned to a designated rental station that has been approved by the provider. This model does not provide the same flexibility to users that newer offerings have, however, it remains one of the best ways for providers to track the vehicles without developing complex systems.
Enterprise CarShare is an example of traditional station based car sharing services. Offering users three membership levels to choose from, the pricing varies based on hourly, daily and overnight rates as well as kilometers driven. Depending on the membership, hourly rates are around $8, daily rates $75 and overnight rates start at $29. The vehicles are available for pick-up at designated stations or lots and can be returned at the discretion of the user to any Enterprise location at the end of their trip.
Compared to free float services, station based car sharing has lower operational costs since only a few fixed stations need to be monitored and checked each day. Right now this model is most profitable in the market, once free float operators enter on a wider scale it will be harder to keep up with the high demand.
Peer-to-Peer
Peer-to-peer car sharing services have experienced large growth in the past few years. Research found that by 2017, more than 2.9 million people in North America were using these services renting over 131,336 vehicles. Peer-based car-sharing fleets expanded by 80 percent between 2016 and 2017 and memberships doubled.
The peer-to-peer car sharing model allows users to list their own vehicles on a sharing platform, connecting hosts to guests looking to rent. This style of sharing allows users to set their own rental rates, while giving members who are looking to rent a wider selection of vehicles to choose from.
Turo is a leader in the peer-to-peer sharing industry, serving as a marketplace where guests can book any car they want from hosts across the US, Canada, the UK and Germany. The guests are able to choose from a unique selection of cars within their area, while allowing the hosts an opportunity to earn extra money to offset the costs of ownership. The company currently has over 10 million users, with more than 350,000 vehicles listed for rent.
Image source: cnet
The rates for Turo are charged by the hour and are subject to adjustments made either by the company’s own algorithm or the specific daily rates charged by each host.
In this model, the operator acts as an aggregator without ownership over the vehicles, which makes it easier to scale the business without the need for huge capital investments. However, it becomes more difficult to control the quality of the experience since every car cannot be checked on a regular basis. It is important to establish a strong customer support team to help resolve any issues that occur.
Autonomous
The future of car sharing is focused on eliminating the driver all together. Autonomous vehicles are beginning to make their way into the marketplace, with the hope being that fleets of self-driving cars will be able to pick-up users at any given location and return to the designated charging area all on their own.
A leader in this next step of mobility is Waymo, a company that emerged from Google’s self-driving car project. The company launched their first commercial self-driving-car service in December 2018, in Phoenix. The self-driving cars operate in an approximately 100-square-mile radius, serving the towns of Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe. Available to a select few pre-approved riders, the hope is that driverless vehicles will be a main part of transportation in the future. There are currently around 1,500 monthly active users helping with the testing program.
In theory, the economics of this model should be great as there is no driver costs or relocating costs, keeping operational requirements to a minimum. These vehicles will however be heavily regulated, with limited access in the near future.
Bike Sharing Services
The demand for accessible transportation in cities has expanded beyond traditional motor vehicles. Across the world, urban areas are beginning to adapt bike sharing programs that allow citizens to use both standard bicycles and e-bikes as a form of travel. The bikes are usually selected from one docking station, and later returned to another across the city. There is currently believed to be nearly 900 bike-sharing systems available globally, with continuous advancements being made each year.
The bike sharing market is expected to grow from a $2.7 billion dollar industry to $5 billion by 2025, according to a report by Research and Markets. That in mind, bike sharing companies across the world should approach expansion with caution to avoid over extending their services. In 2018, Chinese bike sharing start-up Ofo experienced financial decline due to their costly global expansion that was not supported by commercial success. The company was unable to maintain the accessibility of its competitors who partnered with mobile app providers, offering them a wider reach for their services. Without support from an investment partner, Ofo could no longer sustain the maintenance of its bike sharing fleets, let alone compete in the market.
We believe you can build a successful bike share company once you have the right strategy in place. It is important to be operationally efficient when starting out, initially launching a smaller fleet and growing organically with the demand. If you start by scaling wide without having the matching demand, your resources will be spread too thin. The most successful bike share programs work with the local municipalities and cities to determine revenue streams and find the best options to connect with riders.
Dockless Bike Sharing
The dockless bike sharing model offers users access to bicycles that do not require a docking station. Dockless systems allow the bikes to be located and unlocked through a mobile app then returned to a designated district at a bike rack or along the sidewalk. This model is designed for short term use, ideal when travelling or visiting somewhere as a tourist. Most dockless sharing services offer single rides for $1 or monthly fees for continuous use.
Lime was one of the first companies to offer dockless bike services. Users access the bikes at designated areas through the company’s mobile app, initially they are charged a fixed rate to unlock the vehicle and then per minute for the duration of their trip. The rates and promotions available vary based on location and time. Program packages are also offered for users who wish to make monthly payments or have the services available to their employees on a regular basis.
This model of bike sharing is ideal for users because it is easily accessible and convenient to employ every day. There are high operational costs that come with this type of service, as well as a larger risk for vandalism or damage to the bikes.
Station Based
Traditional bike share programs include docking stations where the bicycles are locked until a user purchases a ride. The user pays at a nearby pay station before unlocking the vehicle for a short term trip, later returning it to any available docking station when finished. There are typically two types of payment options available, a flat membership fee or pass that allows access to the bikes for a certain period of time and then a usage fee that charges for the amount of time you spend riding.
San Francisco is one of the first cities to create a regulatory and permitting framework around the trend of bike-sharing. In December 2019, 4,000 e-bikes were launched as part of the Bay Area bike sharing program, designed to make mobility easily accessible to citizens. The program provides rides with the option to purchase a single ride, starting at $2, through Lyft’s mobile ride-sharing app. There are over 300 docking stations available throughout the city, allowing users to travel across the Bay Area more efficiently.
The Capital Bikeshare, in Washington D.C. has a membership fee of $85 annually offering lower usage charges throughout the year. For the first 30 minutes a ride, members aren’t charged, they then receive a rate of $1.50 for the next 30, $3 for the third and finally an additional $6 for every other 30 minute period. For non-members, the first 30 minutes also has no charge but they experience higher fees for every 30 minutes after that. The higher usage fees are balanced out by lower costs at the start -- a daily Capital Bikeshare pass is only $8 and a monthly pass comes to $28.
Station based bike sharing can help bring a stable ROI for every bike since operational costs are low, and there is a minimal need for maintenance, relocation or charging. As dockless bikes continue to expand in the market, this model risks losing loyal users in the long-run.
Sponsored by Corporate
Some bike share programs operate in partnership with corporations who sponsor the vehicles. Operating like a standard bike share program, these vehicles operate in conjunction with the local municipalities.
In London, the city offers a public bicycle hire scheme funded by Santander UK. With more than 750 docking stations and 11,500 bikes available for hire around the city, users have easy access to the vehicles. The program operates 24 hours a day, year-round with an initial cost of 2 Euros for a daily trip, charging an additional 2 Euros per half hour after the first 30 minutes. Users have the option to hire a bike using their bank card at the docking station, or through the official mobile app.
This model is great for any operator that can find a reliable partner who is interested in establishing this type of deal, however, you still run the risk of losing that partner later on.
Scooter Sharing Services
The fastest growing trend in mobility is the advent of e-scooters. They are inexpensive, accessible through mobile apps similar to bike sharing and available in over 100 cities worldwide. According to the US National Association of City Transportation Officials, riders took 38.5 million trips on shared electric scooters in 2018 compared to the 36.5 million trips on docked bikes. The Boston Consulting Group estimates that the global e-scooter market will grow to US$50 billion by 2025, with approximately 50% of the users being located in Europe and the USA. Micro-mobility is quickly becoming the preferred method for short term travel and companies have already begun to emerge as leaders in the market.
Image source: nacto.org
Station Based
Similar to station based bikes, some e-scooter providers offer docking stations where the scooters can be unlocked through a mobile app and then returned later to any available docking station.
DASH Scooters operates out of Nashville, TN, offering docked e-scooters styled like vespas that can be rented at set rates through their mobile app. Starting at $40 for two hours, the rates increase based on time travelled and day of the week. The brand launched after the emergence of other leaders such as Bird, Lime and Spin, who have set the bar for innovation in e-scooters. Their app allows users to locate nearby docking stations where the scooters can be returned to at the end of a trip.
The best way for operators to get a high return on their business is to have a combination of station based and dockless scooters. This will help maintain growth over time, while keeping up the high demand.
Dockless Scooters
Leaders in the mobility industry have begun to focus on the possibilities of dockless scooters. This model involves e-scooters that do not require a docking stations, but instead can be rented from a designated location and then returned anywhere in another.
Spin operates in 62 cities and 20 campuses across the United States, offering fleets of electric scooters for easy, short term travel. Users are able to unlock the scooters through their mobile app, once the ride is complete they can leave the scooter at any designated location and the cost will appear on the app. Charges vary depending on the length of the ride.
This model is currently experiencing high demand due to its convenience and ease of access for users. There are a large amount of maintenance and operational costs required, similar to other dockless mobility services, as well as increasing regulations across cities.
Hotel Services
While the future of e-scooters in cities is an on-going process, the services have begun to expand into the tourism sector. Hotels and resorts have begun to offer scooter sharing services to allow guests to easily travel throughout the location, or explore local surroundings. The options vary between station based and dockless scooters, with pricing packages being dependent on the destination.
Rentskoot is a start-up in Finland that offers small fleets of electric scooters to hotels. Guests are then able to rent the scooters from the hotel premises as a unique way to experience the local neighbourhoods. The company provides operational training to staff, free maintenance and the ability to advertise the hotel’s logo on the scooters. Travelling at a maximum speed of 25 km/h, the compact size and battery life makes this service ideal for short term use within cities.
By focusing on hotels, this model allows businesses to be more innovative with their designs while keeping a consistent demand amongst the growing market. An agreement will need to be made with the hotel in advance regarding guidelines for use and overall costs distribution.
What does this mean for the future of mobility?
The car sharing industry is projected to reach a 16.5 billion USD revenue by 2024, with an annual increase of 34.8% every year. A trend towards electric vehicles is also predicted as the demand for lithium-ion batteries has been predicted to increase by 380% by 2025. In addition, the bike and scooter rental market is expected to grow from USD $2.5 billion in 2019 to USD $10.1 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 18.9 percent. Dockless systems will most likely continue to dominate the market, as their flexibility and ease has historically made them the more popular option for riders.
Every sector of MaaS has one thing in common: the desire to make transportation easier for riders. Ultimately each service compliments the other by providing different options for mobility that can each work together to get a user from point A to point B and back. If someone arrives in the city by train, they could then travel to work using an e-bike or e-scooter to avoid traffic. When returning home late at night a car sharing service could be used to get them there in one trip. The hope is that the future of mobility will consist of a connected network designed for safe, efficient and easily accessible travel.
With this quickly growing market on the rise, there hasn’t been a better time to become a leader in mobility. Start your journey in 20 days with ATOM!
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Micromobility fleet vehicles: Types, features & best use cases
🚲 🛴 E-scooters or e-bikes? Docked or dockless? Every vehicle choice shapes the success of your micromobility business. In this new article, we break down the key micromobility fleet vehicles – their features, best use cases, and how to match them to your city profile. Plus, how ATOM Mobility helps operators manage both scooter and bike fleets in one platform.
July 21, 2026
min. read
Operators entering the micromobility space today face one major early decision: which vehicles to deploy. Your fleet type affects user experience, operational costs, maintenance needs, and regulatory compliance. Whether you plan to launch e‑scooters, e‑bikes, mopeds, or a mixed fleet, each vehicle category serves a different purpose.
This guide covers the main micromobility fleet vehicles – bike, e‑bike, kick scooter, e‑scooter, moped, and e‑moped – along with their features, common manufacturers, docking options, and ideal use cases.
Understanding the vehicle types
Bike (mechanical bicycle) A standard pedal bicycle with no motor. In shared fleets, mechanical bikes are simple, durable, and cost‑efficient. They require minimal electronics and are ideal for cities with strong cycling infrastructure. They generate lower maintenance costs but depend entirely on rider effort. Normally, user demand for this type of bike is also lower, thus operators can expect lower RPV rate (rides per vehicle per day).
E‑bike (electric bicycle) An electric bike combines pedal power with an electric motor that assists the rider. E‑bikes allow longer trips, easier hill climbing, and broader user appeal. Typical shared e‑bike trips range between 5–10 km. They cost more upfront but often generate higher revenue per ride. Many fleet operators source models from manufacturers such as Segway‑Ninebot, Okai, and Yadea. You can explore available e‑bike hardware options on the ATOM Mobility vehicles page: https://www.atommobility.com/vehicles.
Kick scooter (non‑electric scooter) A kick scooter is manually powered by pushing off the ground. While less common in commercial shared fleets today, they are still used in some controlled campus or tourism environments where low speed and low complexity are priorities.
E‑scooter (electric scooter) E‑scooters are lightweight, battery‑powered vehicles designed for short urban trips, typically under 4 km. They are highly flexible and well suited for dense city centers and first‑mile/last‑mile transport. Modern fleet models include swappable batteries, improved braking systems, suspension upgrades, and integrated IoT modules. Popular manufacturers include Segway‑Ninebot, Okai, and Navee that can also be found at ATOM Mobility.
Moped (fuel‑powered light motorcycle) A moped is a small motorized vehicle traditionally powered by gasoline, offering higher speeds and longer range than bikes or scooters. In shared mobility, fuel mopeds are becoming less common due to emissions regulations but still operate in some regions.
E‑moped (electric moped) An e‑moped is an electric version of a traditional moped. It provides longer range and higher speed than e‑scooters, often up to 45 km/h depending on local regulations. E‑mopeds are ideal for suburban areas or cities with longer commuting distances. Manufacturers such as NIU, Silence, Super Soco, and Yadea dominate this segment.
The table below provides a general comparison of the most common shared mobility vehicle types, including typical purchase prices, expected service life in commercial fleets, and average utilization (rides per vehicle per day). Actual figures vary depending on manufacturer, market, operating conditions, and fleet maintenance.
Approx. new purchase price – The typical cost of purchasing a new commercial-grade vehicle for a shared mobility fleet. Prices vary depending on the manufacturer, hardware specifications, battery capacity, IoT integration, and fleet order size.
Approx. used purchase price – The typical market price of a pre-owned commercial vehicle suitable for shared mobility operations. Factors such as vehicle age, mileage, battery health (for electric vehicles), overall condition, and refurbishment status significantly influence the price.
Typical fleet lifespan – The average period a vehicle remains economically viable in a shared mobility fleet before being retired or replaced. Lifespan depends on ride frequency, maintenance quality, weather conditions, road infrastructure, vandalism, accidents, and how intensively the fleet is operated.
Average rides/day/vehicle (RPV) – Rides Per Vehicle per Day (RPV) is one of the most important performance metrics for shared mobility operators. It measures the average number of completed trips each vehicle performs daily. Higher RPV generally leads to better fleet utilization, faster return on investment, and improved profitability. Actual RPV varies depending on vehicle type, city size, demand, seasonality, pricing strategy, fleet availability, and operational efficiency.
Docked vs dockless infrastructure
Beyond vehicle choice, parking strategy matters. Dockless fleets offer flexibility but may create parking compliance challenges. Docked systems use physical stations that improve order, security, and charging efficiency.
Several manufacturers specialize in docking and locking infrastructure, including KNOT CITY (which recently is out of market), and Kuhmute. These docking systems can improve vehicle organization, reduce vandalism, and simplify charging logistics for e‑bikes and e‑mopeds.
E‑scooters: Best for dense urban zones
E‑scooters work best in compact city centers, student districts, and areas with high short‑trip demand. They require less parking space and are faster to deploy. However, they demand consistent maintenance and battery management.
E‑bikes: Broader demographic appeal
E‑bikes provide greater comfort and stability, making them suitable for older users, tourists, and riders carrying bags. They perform well in cities with established cycling lanes or moderate hills. Although more expensive than scooters, they often achieve longer ride durations and stronger customer loyalty.
E‑mopeds: Extended range and higher revenue potential
E‑mopeds are suitable for cities with wider geography or suburban commuting patterns. They typically deliver higher revenue per trip but require licensing compliance and more robust fleet management.
Matching vehicles to city profiles
Tourist cities often benefit from e‑bikes due to comfort and sightseeing suitability. College towns frequently lean toward e‑scooters because of affordability and convenience. Larger or hilly cities may support mixed fleets. Suburban zones often justify e‑mopeds for longer travel distances.
Climate also influences hardware decisions. Wet or cold regions require sealed wiring, water‑resistant components, and tires suitable for slippery conditions.
Planning your hardware strategy
Choosing the right fleet is not only about vehicle type. It involves sourcing reliable manufacturers, evaluating docking options, understanding regulatory requirements, and planning maintenance cycles. Reviewing available hardware categories through ATOM Mobility’s vehicles directory can help operators compare models and integrations before committing to a large fleet purchase.
The most successful operators treat fleet composition as flexible. They start with one category and expand based on usage data, seasonality, and rider behavior. A balanced hardware strategy allows adaptation without replacing the entire fleet.
ATOM Mobility supports mixed fleets – including e‑scooters, e‑bikes, and e‑mopeds – within one platform, covering booking, payments, hardware integrations, and analytics. This allows operators to scale gradually while maintaining operational control.
Vehicle choice is not static. As cities evolve and regulations tighten, operators who understand their hardware options and adapt quickly are better positioned for long‑term growth.
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How to launch a taxi business without building everything from scratch
🚕 Getting drivers on the road is not the only thing you need to launch your taxi business. Many new platforms struggle with the same problem – drivers with no demand and riders with no available drivers. Building both at the same time is where most launches fail. This article introduces the key steps to launch a taxi business and avoid the most common mistakes.
July 15, 2026
min. read
Launching a taxi business today takes more than having drivers. It requires a system that can attract riders, onboard drivers, manage bookings, process payments, and keep daily operations running smoothly as demand grows.
The ride-hailing market is growing fast, while customer acquisition is getting more expensive and more competitive. Technavio estimates the global ride-hailing market will grow by more than $102 billion between 2024 and 2029, which creates room for new operators, but also raises the cost of visibility, paid acquisition, and brand differentiation in crowded markets, according to this ride-hailing services market forecast.
Many operators now launch faster by using ready-made tools instead of building every part from scratch. ATOM Mobility has already helped operators launch mobility businesses in as little as 90 days through a phased rollout covering market validation, legal setup, branding, driver onboarding, and launch execution.
But how to actually launch your business, if you’re not willing to do everything from scratch?
1. Start with a market gap, not with the app
Most taxi businesses do not fail because the app is missing a feature but because there is no clear reason for customers to switch. Before choosing software or recruiting drivers, define where your opportunity is. That could mean:
- poor service in smaller cities
- premium airport rides
- business travel
- women-only rides
- scheduled transport
- local business transport partnerships
This matters more than most expect. Your pricing, branding, driver experience, and customer acquisition all depend on the niche you choose. That is why defining a clear angle early matters, especially in crowded markets.
2. Get legal and operational basics in place
A taxi business is still a regulated business. Before launch, you need to set up the basics properly:
- business registration
- local taxi or ride-hailing permits
- insurance
- driver requirements
- vehicle checks
- payment compliance
Skipping this part slows everything down later.
This is also the stage where many founders underestimate operating costs. Beyond software, you will need to plan for driver incentives, support, payment processing, and customer acquisition. That is one reason many operators now launch with white-label software instead of funding a custom build from day one.
3. Launch with ready-made software, not custom development
Building a taxi app from scratch is expensive (in many cases we see it costs more than 30 000 -50 000 EUR), slow (takes many monhts), and usually unnecessary. To launch a working taxi business, you need:
- rider app
- driver app
- dispatch logic
- payment system
- admin dashboard
- support tools
- analytics
- integrations
Most early-stage operators do not need to build these systems themselves but a working infrastructure they can brand and launch quickly. That is why many operators start with ATOM Mobility, where the full system already includes rider and driver apps, dispatch tools, payments, analytics, integrations and backend operations in one platform. This is the same logic behind building a branded taxi service with white-label software instead of spending months on custom development.
4. Make driver onboarding simple from day one
Driver onboarding needs to be fast and easy enough that drivers can register, upload documents, get approved, and start working without delays. But if onboarding takes too long, drivers drop off before they complete their first ride.
A strong launch setup should include:
- fast registration
- document upload
- quick approval flow
- simple earnings tracking
This is also where the ATOM Mobility driver app becomes important, since it gives drivers one place to accept rides, navigate, manage earnings, and stay active without switching between tools.
5. Give users more than one way to book
Many taxi businesses still focus only on app installs but that is a mistake. Not every rider wants to download an app before booking a ride. This is especially true for airport pickups and tourists in general, hotel guests, older riders, and occasional users. That is why booking flexibility is important. Alongside mobile apps, many operators now add browser-based booking so riders can order without installing anything.
This is what ATOM introduced with its Web Booker for ride-hail, which gives operators a simple way to capture web traffic, direct bookings, and one-time users without forcing an app download.
6. Build supply and demand at the same time
You need both, drivers and riders, to be interested in your service from day one – drivers will not stick around without rides and riders won’t pick you if there are no available drivers.
That means:
- recruit drivers before launch
- pre-seed rider demand
- test dispatch density
- launch in one focused zone first
- avoid expanding too early
This is one reason local launches tend to perform better than city-wide launches. Smaller launch zones create stronger supply-demand density and better first user experience.
7. Plan marketing before launch, not after
Most taxi businesses fail because not enough people know they exist, not because they lack great technology. Founders often spend months building operations, then treat marketing as something to figure out later, which can become an aspect in which the expenses start rising fast.
You need:
- launch campaigns
- local paid ads
- rider promos
- referral loops
- landing pages
- retargeting
ATOM now offers a dedicated marketing agency for mobility businesses, built specifically for operators who need help acquiring riders, running paid campaigns, and building predictable demand. Without consistent rider acquisition, even a strong product struggles.
8. Think beyond taxis from the start
Many operators launch with taxis first, then expand into extra services once demand is stable.
That could mean:
- airport transfers
- scheduled rides
- delivery
- business transport
- shuttle services
- car sharing or rental
- micromobility
This is one of the strongest advantages of launching on flexible mobility software. You are not building a single-use taxi app but a mobility platform that can grow. That is also why ATOM’s ride-hailing platform was built to integrate with broader shared mobility services instead of staying limited to one transport model.
If you’re launching a taxi business, building the right system usually is more important than building a software from scratch. The strongest operators start with a clear market gap, launch with ready-made tools, onboard drivers quickly, give riders flexible booking options, and invest in demand early.
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