When sharing is caring: how car share schemes cut costs and emissions

Car share services give people access to the benefits of a vehicle without the cost and inconvenience of actually owning one. Photograph: Kokkai Ng/Getty Images

Cars are a major household expense and source of emissions, but some trips are too onerous or inconvenient for public transport.

Owning a car can be expensive. Australians spend about 15% of their household income on transport, according to the Australian Automobile Association. Insurance, registration, servicing and roadside assistance alone can cost about $8,000 per year.