HoppyGo — P2P Car Sharing in the Czech Republic and Slovakia

The format of car rentals is gradually moving beyond traditional models. In addition to classic rental companies and urban car-sharing services, P2P rentals — where private owners rent out their vehicles — are playing an increasingly visible role. In the Czech Republic and neighboring countries, HoppyGo has become one of the key services operating in this segment.

The platform has been operating since 2017 and is now actively used in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, forming an alternative to traditional car rental companies.

The HoppyGo Car Sharing Concept and Its Differences

HoppyGo is a peer-to-peer platform that connects car owners with users who need a vehicle for a limited period of time. Unlike classic car sharing, there is no centralized fleet: each car belongs to a specific individual, and rental conditions depend on that owner’s requirements.

The project was launched with the participation of ŠKODA AUTO DigiLab and is part of the ŠKODA X ecosystem. This has defined the technological direction of the service and its focus on digital processes, security, and scalability.

How the Rental Process Works

Car owners register on the platform and add their vehicles to the catalog. Before doing so, identity and document verification is carried out via BankID and the Sumsub system. This approach reduces the risk of fraud and helps build trust between participants.

Booking and Vehicle Pickup

The user selects a vehicle based on specified parameters — rental period, car type, location, and price. After booking confirmation, either personal handover of the vehicle or a contactless option is possible, if offered by the owner. During the rental period, the vehicle is covered by insurance provided by UNIQA.

User Requirements

The service is available to individuals aged 18 and over who hold a valid driver’s license of the appropriate category. Additional conditions — such as minimum driving experience or age requirements — may be set by the owner of a specific vehicle, so requirements vary from listing to listing.

Fleet and Model Selection

One of HoppyGo’s strengths is the diversity of available vehicles. The platform features compact city cars as well as larger options — station wagons, SUVs, minivans, and electric vehicles. A significant share of the fleet consists of ŠKODA cars, including the Fabia and ENYAQ iV.

In total, more than 2,500 vehicles representing around 300 different models are listed on the platform. After integration with the SmileCar service, the platform effectively covered a substantial portion of the P2P car-sharing market in the Czech Republic.

Project Scale and Development

The service demonstrates steady growth. As of 2021, the number of registered users exceeded 150,000, and the number of available vehicles increased by approximately one third. In addition to the Czech Republic, the platform has begun operating in Slovakia and Poland, confirming interest in the peer-to-peer short-term rental model.

Mobile Apps and User Activity

To manage rentals, HoppyGo offers mobile applications through which bookings are made, communication between parties takes place, and rental support is provided. Key performance indicators of the apps on major platforms are shown below.

HoppyGo App Data

The higher number of installations on Android is explained by the popularity of this platform in the region, while the iOS version demonstrates a higher average rating.

User Opinions on HoppyGo Car Sharing

In reviews, users most often highlight the convenience of the platform, the wide selection of vehicles, and the opportunity to save money compared to traditional rental companies. At the same time, among the drawbacks, users mention difficulties with booking cancellations and certain issues related to insurance cases. Service quality also largely depends on the individual car owner, which is a characteristic of the entire P2P model.

Service Nuances and Limitations

Despite the convenience of the P2P rental model, using HoppyGo has several features that are important to consider in advance. Unlike traditional rental companies, where conditions are standardized, a significant portion of the parameters here depends on the individual vehicle owner.

First and foremost, this applies to vehicle usage rules. Daily mileage limits, vehicle return requirements, permitted travel regions, and booking cancellation conditions can vary significantly. Some owners set strict rules, while others offer more flexible terms. Before booking, users need to carefully review the vehicle description and rental rules.

Another nuance is related to vehicle condition. Since these are privately owned cars, their technical condition and equipment level may differ from rental fleets. The platform provides inspections and insurance coverage; however, the overall rental experience largely depends on the quality of the specific vehicle and the responsibility of its owner.

Users also separately note issues related to booking cancellations and changes to rental periods. In the P2P model, such situations are handled more strictly than in traditional rentals, since vehicle owners plan the use of their cars directly.

Geography of Use and Service Availability

The distribution of vehicles on the platform is uneven and directly depends on population density and demand levels. The largest number of listings is concentrated in major cities and surrounding metropolitan areas, where the P2P model is most in demand.

In the Czech Republic, the main service activity is concentrated in Prague and its surroundings, as well as in other large cities. It is in these areas that users receive the widest choice of vehicles, more flexible dates, and more competitive prices. In regional areas, the selection is noticeably more limited, which is due to the smaller number of registered owners.

A similar situation is observed in Slovakia, where the service is developing primarily in urban centers. For users from smaller towns and rural areas, vehicle availability may be limited, and booking periods may be less flexible.

Thus, HoppyGo is best suited for rentals in cities and suburban areas where an active base of owners has formed. In tourist or sparsely populated regions, the selection may be narrower, which should be taken into account when planning trips.

Final Conclusion

HoppyGo cannot be classified as either classic car sharing or traditional car rental. It is an independent P2P platform that allows owners to monetize their vehicles, while users gain access to a more flexible and diverse rental market.

Support from ŠKODA X, the availability of insurance coverage, and the expansion of geographic presence make the service a notable participant in the short-term car rental market in Central Europe.