New Car-Sharing Platform Couldn’t Be Simpler

By Dan Hutton on April 10, 2013 in News

Just before Christmas, 30 thirty eastern suburbs locals put their cars on the market. They’re not for sale though – they’re for rent by the hour through Car Next Door, a new neighbour-to-neighbour car-sharing platform that’s launched in Bondi, Bronte and Paddington.

It’s the first Australian example of a concept that’s already running successfully in a number of countries overseas. People can rent their cars out to approved drivers, with the backup of comprehensive insurance. An in-car device lets borrowers swipe in to a car that they’ve booked online, without needing to pick up keys.

“A lot of people like it because they can save money,” Car Next Door CEO Will Davies told The Beast. “Instead of having your car just sitting in the driveway when you’re not using it, you can earn some cash by renting it out – up to $10,000 a year. And for people who don’t own a car, this is a low-cost way to get access to one. You can drive a variety of vehicles – maybe a ute, van, or small car – for as little as $5 an hour, or $25 a day.”

It’s also a winner for health and the environment. Research from the U.S. has found that car-sharers drive on average 40% less than car owners. They tend to walk, ride or use public transport more often, and use cars as a backup. This means more activity for them, and less pollution and congestion overall. Car Next Door also offsets the carbon emissions from borrowers’ driving, making it an approved carbon neutral service.

Better still, the service is incredibly simple to use, for both the lender and the borrower.

“You just leave your car where it is normally parked. Borrowers look online for a vehicle near them, book it, then swipe in and drive. Both cars and borrowers are rated after each booking, which helps to build trust among the member community,” Davies said.

Car Next Door is looking to expand throughout the Eastern Suburbs. If you’re interested in getting on board you can join or register your interest at www.carnextdoor.com.au/beast. As a Beast reader you’ll get a special Beast driving credit that means you can borrow your first car for a day for just $5!