The conversation around electric vehicle (EV) adoption has taken an interesting turn. While some headlines claim that EV sales are slowing, the reality is that the market isn’t shrinking—it’s evolving. Solely relying on individual ownership to drive mass adoption may not be the ultimate path forward. Sharing EVs presents a more cost-effective, convenient, and sustainable alternative, particularly for urban dwellers and real estate developers looking to reduce significant parking infrastructure and related costs, lower carbon emissions, and attract buyers interested in modern mobility options.
For decades, car ownership has been deeply embedded in our culture. Yet, the economics and logistics of owning a car—EV or otherwise—no longer make sense for many people, especially in cities. The rising costs of purchasing, insuring, maintaining, and charging an EV (or worse, filling up with gas), coupled with the limited availability of parking and charging infrastructure, have left many consumers hesitant to make the switch.
Moreover, privately owned vehicles are vastly underutilized. Studies show that most personal cars sit idle for 95% of their lifespan, occupying expensive parking spaces while incurring costs. The inefficiency of this model has long been accepted as the norm—until now.
Enter EV sharing, a model that makes EV use accessible without the financial burden of ownership. Rather than relying on scattered car-sharing services that require users to search for available vehicles, a new approach places fleets of premium electric vehicles, e-bikes, and scooters directly within residential buildings.
The result? Residents have instant access to brand-new, upmarket EVs when they need one, at a fraction of the cost of ownership. Developers benefit, too, as integrating EV sharing into their projects helps them eliminate costly parking infrastructure, speed up construction timelines, and meet increasingly strict environmental mandates from cities.
Convenience is king when it comes to shifting consumer habits. Previous car-sharing programs failed to take off because they lacked reliability. Users couldn’t consistently find a vehicle when they needed one, and when they did, the experience was often disappointing—unavailable cars, unclear pricing, and poorly maintained vehicles drove them away. Trust is paramount, and if people can’t depend on a transportation solution, they won’t use it.
Ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft succeeded because they made transportation easier than hailing a cab. Likewise, EV adoption will accelerate when using an electric car becomes more seamless than owning one.
Today’s world of EV sharing can look like this.
While the initial perception may be that EV sharing appeals mainly to younger city dwellers, demand is proving to be widespread.
For developers, EV sharing is a game-changer. Large-scale development projects have traditionally required deep, costly parking garages, which add significant time and expense to construction. By integrating EV sharing into new developments, builders can reduce entire levels of parking, free up space for additional units or amenities, and appeal to a growing demographic that values sustainability, affordability, and convenience over car ownership.
Cities, too, are playing a role in this shift. Many municipalities are now requiring developers to implement real solutions for reducing congestion and emissions to secure building permits. EV sharing provides a direct, measurable way to meet these requirements while also enhancing the value proposition of new residential projects.
The key to EV growth isn’t to force everyone into individual ownership—it’s to make EV access as seamless as possible. Sharing, rather than buying, offers the affordability, convenience, and flexibility that today’s consumers demand.
EV growth isn’t dead. It’s just pivoting. And EV sharing is proving to be the missing link that will drive mainstream adoption. The future isn’t just about getting people to own an electric vehicle—it’s about making it easier than ever for them to drive one, when and where they need it.
Scott Macwilliam is the Founder & CEO of Kite Mobility, a pioneering EV-sharing platform that integrates electric mobility hubs directly into residential and commercial developments. With a career spanning leadership roles at Nissan, Infiniti, and Magna International, Scott has deep expertise in automotive innovation, sustainability, and mobility solutions. His work in scaling new transportation technologies globally inspired him to launch Kite Mobility in 2020, addressing the inefficiencies of private car ownership and urban congestion.
