Car Sharing Glossary

This page explains common terms used in car sharing and urban mobility in plain language. When you come across an unfamiliar term, look it up here before returning to the related article.

Hourly car rental: Hourly car rental is a method of renting a vehicle charged by time slot, allowing users to use a car for only as long as they actually need. It suits short trips such as shopping, visits or pick-ups and drop-offs. Before use, check how time is counted, which periods are free of charge, and how overtime is billed.
Car sharing safety: Car sharing safety refers broadly to the measures that protect the vehicle, the user and other road users during the use, parking and return of a shared car. These include vehicle inspections, identity verification, confirmation of driving eligibility and procedures for reporting accidents.
Urban mobility: Urban mobility refers to the ways residents choose to travel between places within a city, including public transport, walking, cycling, private cars and various shared services. Balancing these options sensibly helps reduce road congestion and improve travel efficiency.
Short-term car rental: Short-term car rental is a car hire service charged by the hour, day or week, suited to temporary or periodic driving needs. Compared with long-term leasing, short-term rental is usually more flexible, but the cost per unit of time may be higher.
Shared parking space: A shared parking space is an arrangement in which a private or unused parking space is opened to others for short-term use, commonly found in residential estates, commercial buildings and car parks. Users can book a space through a platform, while owners can make good use of idle space.
Car sharing: Car sharing is a vehicle service in which multiple people use the same car on a time-share basis. Users can find nearby vehicles through an app or online platform and rent and return them as needed. This model means people do not need to buy a private car yet can still drive when they need to.
Car sharing insurance: Car sharing insurance is an insurance arrangement that provides cover while a shared car is in use. It may include third-party liability, damage to the vehicle, and injury or death of the driver. Users should read the coverage scope, excess and exclusions carefully to understand the actual level of protection.
Eco-friendly travel: Eco-friendly travel refers to ways of getting around that reduce energy consumption and emissions, such as choosing public transport, walking, cycling, or using shared cars to reduce private car ownership. These choices help improve air quality and reduce the environmental impact of urban traffic.
Car sharing platform: A car sharing platform is an online or mobile app service that provides functions such as finding vehicles, booking, payment and identity verification. When choosing a platform, compare the types of vehicles offered, the fee structure, customer support and the arrangements for protecting personal data.
Peer-to-peer car sharing: Peer-to-peer car sharing means car owners make their private vehicles available for others to use during set time slots, with the platform handling bookings and payment settlement. Both owners and users should understand the relevant insurance arrangements, allocation of responsibility, and vehicle maintenance requirements.