Car Sharing in Taiwan

Car sharing in Taiwan has its own unique characteristics—just like in any other country. The island’s high level of urbanization and expensive city land mean that parking costs are steep, which is one of the main challenges holding back the growth of car sharing here.

Does Taiwan Actually Need Car Sharing?

According to the 2024 global ranking of private car ownership, Taiwan has 344 vehicles per 1,000 residents. That’s neither high nor low. For comparison: New Zealand tops the list in Asia with 869 cars per 1,000 people—that’s actually the highest rate in the world. The U.S. follows with 860, Germany has 627, and Ukraine only 192 cars per 1,000 residents.

Car Sharing Market Data in Taiwan

In 2025, Taiwan’s car sharing revenue is expected to hit $84.29 million. The market is projected to grow by 1.29% annually and reach $89.89 million by 2029. By then, more than 624,000 users are expected to be using car sharing services on the island.

The average revenue per user (ARPU) is $140.53.

Car Sharing Companies in Taiwan

1. YouBike – Started as a bike-sharing service back in 2010, in close cooperation with Taiwan’s government.
    
2. iRent – Launched in 2015 in partnership with Toyota. With over 10,000 cars today, it's the market leader. Offers both station-based and free-float options.
    
3. GoSmart – Created together with Nissan; its fleet includes more than 2,500 vehicles.
    
4. ZipCar – A U.S.-based franchise that entered the Taiwanese market in 2017.

What Makes the Taiwanese Car Sharing Market Unique

1. Extremely high parking costs—sometimes reaching up to €85,000 for a single spot.
    
2. Virtually no government support for the sector, especially when it comes to helping with parking space.
    
3. As a result, free-float carsharing is harder to scale.
    
4. Heavy regulations, similar to the rental car industry:
   
   • Special license plates for carsharing vehicles
   • Companies must provide designated parking areas
   • Fixed pricing models—no flexible or dynamic pricing allowed
5. Rides are extremely cheap—sometimes even less than an e-scooter ride, thanks to tough competition.

The Future of Car Sharing in Taiwan

Car sharing providers are optimistic and continue to grow their fleets. More cars on the road means better service and convenience for users. The market has grown rapidly, especially considering that it only really took off around 2010, with major momentum coming between 2015 and 2017.