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.
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🚘💡 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!
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!
🔧 🚗 Simplify fleet management with automation! ATOM Mobility’s latest Task Automation feature creates maintenance tasks automatically, so you can focus on growth instead of scheduling. From mileage-based services to feedback-triggered check-ups, this tool has your fleet covered.
Automating fleet management with ATOM Mobility: The future of task automation
Managing a fleet comes with many moving parts—from ensuring vehicles are serviced regularly to addressing feedback and operational needs. ATOM Mobility’s new Task Automation feature optimizes this process by automatically creating tasks based on each vehicle’s real-time parameters, such as mileage, time, user feedback, and ride count. This allows fleet operators to focus on strategic growth while routine maintenance and issue resolution become automated. Here’s how this feature could make fleet operations smoother, efficient, and more scalable for shared mobility and rental businesses.
Task automation for fleet management
ATOM Mobility’s Task Automation feature builds on its ongoing focus to simplify fleet management. This new addition enables operators to automate task creation based on specific vehicle metrics, reducing manual effort and enhancing overall fleet efficiency.
The idea is brilliantly simple: instead of creating tasks manually (which can be tedious and time-consuming), this tool will automatically create tasks for you based on pre-set conditions.
With Task Automation, you can set specific parameters that will trigger task creation, such as mileage, ride count, ratings, or time. Picture this: every 5,000 kilometers driven, the system can automatically create a “Tire Check” task. Or if a specific vehicle receives user ratings below two stars, a “Low user review, check up required” task can be triggered. This approach to task generation not only saves valuable time but also ensures that vehicles receive consistent care based on real usage and performance, not guessing.
How task automation works in a nutshell
Setting up Task Automation in ATOM Mobility’s dashboard is designed to be as seamless as possible. The process essentially boils down to three simple steps:
- Log in to the ATOM Mobility platform, and head to the Fleet Maintenance section under “More.”
- Create a new automation: Specify the task type (like check-ups or cleaning ro anything else), set priority (low, medium, high), choose the relevant vehicle model, and add an optional description.
- Set a trigger parameter and value: Choose the metric that will trigger the task, whether it’s mileage, ride count, user feedback, or time schedule.
Once everything’s set, the system will keep track of these parameters for each vehicle, ensuring that when a trigger is met, a task will be created automatically and added to the dashboard. You’ll have everything you need to keep each vehicle in tip-top shape without manual oversight.
Why task automation is a game-changer for shared mobility operators
It’s no secret that keeping up with fleet maintenance can be a full-time job—and then some. Task Automation is built to give you time back in your day and enhance fleet health without excessive manual work. Here’s how it shines:
- Minimizing downtime and maximizing efficiency: With automated tasks created on schedule, you’re reducing the chance of missing maintenance, which can lead to unexpected breakdowns or, worse, unsatisfied customers.
- Boosting customer experience: Users expect seamless, safe, and reliable rides. By setting automated checks based on feedback ratings, you can address any hiccups before they escalate, like a regular check-up triggered when user ratings dip, ensuring issues are handled swiftly.
- Optimizing resource allocation: Operators save time, money, and stress by allowing ATOM’s platform to handle task creation. Staff can then focus on actual maintenance rather than constant monitoring and task creation, ultimately lowering operational costs.
Examples of task automation in action
To illustrate how powerful Task Automation can be, here are some scenarios where it could make a real difference for fleet operators:
- Mileage-based maintenance: Automatically set oil changes or tire rotations every 5,000 kilometers. No more sticky notes or vague reminders—once the mileage threshold is hit, the task is created instantly, saving time and maintaining vehicle health.
- Feedback-based follow-ups: Let’s say you have a popular scooter, but a few users have noted a squeaky brake. Once the feedback drops below a specific rating, an automatic check-up task is created. That way, you don’t have to wait for a cascade of bad reviews before you act.
- Time-based cleanings: Hygiene is crucial, especially in shared mobility. You could set a task to clean and sanitize vehicles after a set number of hours or rides, ensuring each user gets a fresh experience without needing someone to track hours.
Task automation meets scalability: ideal for growing fleets
For any business with a growing fleet, Task Automation provides a clear advantage. By using parameters to generate tasks, you can scale up without needing additional manpower just to manage scheduling. As your fleet grows, Task Automation scales with you, handling more vehicles and keeping you updated on the health and performance of each.
Think of it as a maintenance manager that grows alongside your fleet without increasing your operational costs. It’s no longer about manually checking every vehicle at every mile marker; it’s about letting the system manage maintenance alerts while you keep your attention on strategic growth.
Getting started with task automation on ATOM Mobility
Setting up Task Automation is straightforward, but don’t hesitate to ask ATOM Mobility’s team for more detailed guidance. Here’s a quick overview to get you started:
- Select your trigger: Choose between kilometers, hours, ride count, or ratings, based on what matters most to your fleet.
- Define your task requirements: Each task is customizable, so you can specify different needs depending on the type of vehicle or its usage.
- Monitor with ease: Once in place, the automation will handle task creation. Just check in via the dashboard to monitor progress and handle any high-priority issues as needed. All the information and tasks are synced between the dashboard and fleet manager app.
ATOM Mobility’s commitment to innovation means we’re constantly updating our features to make fleet management more efficient and automated. Task Automation isn’t just a convenience—it’s an opportunity to elevate how you manage and grow your fleet in a sustainable way. With automation taking care of repetitive tasks, your team can focus on what really matters: delivering an outstanding experience to every rider.
Why now’s the time to automate with ATOM Mobility
The shared mobility industry is moving faster than ever, and staying competitive means embracing tools that make operations smoother and more efficient. ATOM Mobility’s Task Automation feature is a game-changer that brings automation to the forefront, allowing operators to focus on high-impact work while leaving routine tasks to the platform.
Whether you manage a fleet of e-bikes, scooters, or vehicles, automated maintenance can streamline your operations, prevent issues before they arise, and let your team work smarter, not harder.
Explore more about ATOM Mobility’s fleet management solutions on their blog and discover other products that can help you on your way to creating a micromobility fleet!