From ownership to access: Policies to support the growth of peer-to-peer car sharing in Italy

Although peer-to-peer (P2P) car sharing is increasingly promoted as a flexible, resource-efficient mobility option, its adoption in many countries, including Italy, remains limited. Policymakers are exploring fiscal and regulatory measures to stimulate participation, but evidence on how such policies affect potential car owners (supply) and renters (demand), as well as how responses vary across population groups, remains scarce. This study addresses this gap by examining how differentiated policy instruments shape individuals’ willingness to participate in P2P car sharing in Italy. We collected stated-preference data from two nationally representative samples of the Italian population, each totaling more than 4000 respondents, in a survey conducted in May 2025 that included both car owners and renters. Results show that, on the supply side, fiscal incentives such as exemptions from the annual vehicle ownership tax and from income tax on car-sharing revenues significantly increase the likelihood of participation. On the demand side, renters respond most positively to subsidies for hourly rental rates and highway tolls. Policy effectiveness varies markedly across sociodemographic groups and regions: women aged 25 or older, those with higher levels of education, and those who are not employed are among the most responsive, with differing sensitivities emerging depending on place of residence and local accessibility levels. Psychological and attitudinal factors, including perceived benefits, social influence, and environmental concern, also play a significant role in participation decisions. These findings underscore the need for policy designs and communication strategies that combine fiscal measures with targeted user segmentation based on both sociodemographic and attitudinal profiles.