Car-sharing is no longer a niche option in Brussels. Six out of ten users say they have given up a private vehicle, according to a survey by Brussels Mobility.
The study, carried out last summer among 2,200 users of services such as Cambio and Poppy, shows that shared cars now play a key role in reducing car ownership in the capital. Almost 60% of Cambio users and 40% of Poppy users cut the number of cars in their household after joining. Without car-sharing, 63% of Cambio users and 70% of Poppy users say they would buy a personal vehicle again. Among people using both services, that figure rises to 76%.
Most users also rely on public transport and cycling.
Brussels mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt said shared cars benefit everyone by easing congestion and freeing up public space. She added that the services are becoming more practical for families thanks to features such as child seats.
Families are increasingly using car-sharing, with households with children making up 33% of users. However, some still face challenges, especially when travelling with young children.
Users are calling for a wider range of vehicles, including vans and seven-seaters, more equipment such as child seats and bike racks, and better integration with the Mobib public transport card.
The survey suggests that many Brussels residents now see car-sharing as part of a broader, flexible mobility system rather than feeling the need to own a car.
A Poppy car in Brussels © BELGA PHOTO TIMON RAMBOER