Key Takeaways
- Share Now offers easy, short-term car rentals via an app.
- Available across 16 cities in 5 European countries, with inclusive rates.
- Rentals cover up to 30 days, with insurance, fuel, and parking.
- Diverse fleet includes electric and gas vehicles, with various size options.
Share Now is a free-floating carsharing service that offers users a fleet of cars to rent, without any fixed stations. It’s an easy way to use a car for short periods, anywhere between 1 minute to 30 days.
The company owns a fleet of cars that they rent out to their customers. From my experience, the company does a great job of keeping the vehicles in great condition.
It’s an easy-to-use app that offers a convenient service for anyone needing to use a car for a short amount of time.
- By registering with the app, you’ll be able to access hundreds of cars within minutes.
- It’s available in 16 cities across 5 European countries.
- They charge by the minute, but you can rent the vehicle for up to 30 days. You receive better hourly and daily rates for longer reservations.
- The service includes extensive benefits, such as free parking, insurance, and fuel.
Share Now has a wide range of cars in their fleet. You can find both gas and electric vehicles. They break them up into four size categories: XS, S, M, and L. Some of the common cars you may see include brands such as:
- Peugeot
- Opel
- Fiat
- Citroen
- Alfa Romeo
- smart
- MINI
- BMW
- Mercedes Benz
There are many benefits to using the Share Now service. Some of the top ones to consider are:
- The vehicles are kept clean and safe.
- You’ll never be surprised by the amount on the bill, as they have transparent upfront pricing.
- You can easily return the car.
- It’s free to cancel your reservations if your plan changes.
- You can use free charging for electric cars.
- Street parking is free for all Share Now vehicles.
- Renting a car comes with full-coverage insurance.
- It’s a great way to live a more sustainable life, as you don’t need to own your own car.
As of 2024, Share Now operates only in Europe. It’s available in 15 major cities spread across six countries:
- Austria
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Spain
The service was previously available in Seattle and several other cities in the US, but ceased their operations in early 2023 due to a lack of profit.
To register, you must meet a few qualifications:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Possess a valid driver’s license (issued in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland).
- Have a valid email address.
- Own a smartphone (iOS or Android).
Using the Share Now app is a simple process. You can find yourself hopping in a car and driving to your destination within minutes.
Step 1: Register
To start, you’ll need to register an account on the website or through the phone app. You’ll need to provide your driver’s license, upload a selfie to prove it’s you, and add a payment method.
It can take a few days to get validated through their system, but it usually only takes a few hours.
This is also where you set up a magic PIN, a four-digit code that provides you access to the cars.
Step 2: Reserve a Car
Once your account is active, you’ll be able to book cars whenever you want.
You can apply filters on the app to find the perfect car near you. These filters allow you to choose your preferences, such as if you need a larger vehicle or a certain number of seats.
When you reserve the car, you have 20 minutes of free reservation time to get to it. After those 20 minutes, you’ll be charged by the minute.
No one else will be able to book the car during this time.
Step 3: Pick Up the Car
Once you arrive at the car, you can unlock it with your smartphone. On the app, you’ll press the Start button and choose how long you want to rent it for. Share Now cars can be rented for as little as one minute or as long as 30 days.
To access the car, you’ll enter your four-digit PIN code. Before you start driving, you have the opportunity to report any damage to the car.
Take photos and submit them to ensure you don’t get blamed for the damage after returning the car.
If the car has a key, it’ll be in the glovebox. Many cars will have a push-to-start system instead.
Step 4: Drive!
Now you’re free to drive wherever you want! When you’re done with your trip, you need to return the car.
It’ll need to be parked anywhere in the Home Area, which is a range within the city that Share Now cars are allowed to be parked in.
There are some exceptional areas where you’re allowed to drop the car off even if they’re outside the Home Area, such as airports.
These are called drop-off zones and will be clearly marked on your app. You’ll need to pay an additional fee to use these.
Step 5: End the Trip
Once the car is parked, you’ll put the key in the glove box, roll the windows up, and apply the handbrake.
Once you step outside the car, it’ll lock automatically. You’ll need to enter your app and mark the trip as finished.
The Share Now service is all-inclusive, covering the vehicle, insurance, gas, and most city parking. The only other additional costs are the optional Plus insurance, drop-off zone fees, and the rookie fee.
Share Now offers different rates depending on how long and far you’ll be using the car.
- By the minute: For 200 km or less, rates start at €0.19/minute.
- By the hour: For 6 hours or less, rates start at €7.99/hour.
- By the day: For a fixed amount of days, rates start around €39.83/day. You’ll also pay at least €0.21 for each kilometer you drive.
Plus insurance starts at €0.99 and gives you extra benefits. Airport fees vary from €5.99 to €15.99.
The rookie fee is a small fee for drivers between the ages of 18 to 20 years old. It’s a few euros per transaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, you’re covered by third-party liability insurance. Your deductible will automatically be reduced to a specific amount in case of an accident.
You can get their Plus Coverage, which includes tire and glass damage, roadside assistance, and a reduced deductible.
Can You Book a Car Ahead of Time?
Yes! It’s easy to book a car in advance for up to 30 days. Share Now will even drop the car off at your location without charging extra. Don’t stress about not having a car ready at hand when you need one.
Wrapping Up
If you’re looking for an easy way to rent a car for a short amount of time, Share Now is one of the best options on the market. They provide you with the insurance, fuel, and everything else you need to get around in a safe vehicle.
Just download the app, upload your license, and start driving once you’re approved.
