Berlin: STATTAUTO - Germany largest car-sharing company

Country:	Germany
Type:	Projects, Concepts
Area:	Entire City
Actors:	Private
Funding:	Private
Topics:	Mobility
Objectives:	Increase non-motorised mobility
	Increase use of public transport
	Reduce car mobility
	Reduce energy consumption
Instruments:

Abstract:

The Berlin-based STATTAUTO car-sharing company is the largest of its kind in Germany with a membership of 3,100. It started as a research project and proved to be a runaway success which now contributes to the urban eco-balance with a reduction of 510,000 car kilometres and an annual decrease in CO₂ emissions of 80.32 tonnes. The project was chosen as good practice for the following reasons:

• setting up of an innovative, environmentally compatible project;
• creation of new employment;
• member participation;
• overall reduction of car use;
• increase of deliberate car use;
• reduction of CO₂ emissions
• co-operation in the national and international car-sharing network.

Concept and aims

Car-ownership modelling has been paid little attention so far. Usually the decision to buy a car is regarded as an important aim in order to achieve an independent life style. Although the purchase is rather costly most people give priority to the ownership of a private car as the criteria of availability and free choice are still highly valued. In most cases mobility acquires significance as an important bonus to get a better job, to increase social contacts, shopping possibilities etc. However, although private car ownership subjectively provides the feeling of mobility, objectively a private car is mainly immobile.

In the 1980s research underlined that in Berlin a private car is used only 57 minutes per day and that on average 1.3 persons travel by private car compared to 1.4 persons on the national level. This includes 40 minutes per day for private use. The national average of annual car kilometres amounts to a mere 14,500 km per vehicle. In addition, congestion in urban centres forces the car users to spend approximately 65 hours per year on the street without driving. Furthermore, a private car user has to pay all costs on his own whereas the car-sharer pays only part of the investment in a new car, the insurance, the maintenance and running costs. Recent calculations for an average 500 km mileage per month revealed that in Bremen the costs for the private car use amount to 654 DM whereas the same distance driven by a shared car would cost 375 DM. Therefore, the philosophy of car-sharing companies is to organise the mobility of its customers on the one hand, and to keep the overall cost down on the other hand. Car-sharing can be regarded as a supplementary means of transport. Such a policy leaves the choice with the customer but increases the possibilities of environmental gains. The following effects can be named:

• the availability and convenience of a car is maintained;
• the overall number of cars is reduced;
• the mobility by car is combined with environmentally compatible means of transport;
• the CO₂ balance is influenced in favour of the urban climate;
• car-free households enable new urban developments like car-free areas.

In 1988 the first German car-sharing company started with one car and an answering machine as part of a scientific research project. At the time the behaviour of the Berlin car-share user was the focus of attention. Within two years the model had been increased to four cars and approximately 50 participants. As the results had been promising the researchers decided to set up the STATTAUTO company in 1990 (the name STATTAUTO was chosen as a pun on "city-car" and "instead-of car"). At the start of STATTAUTO the following experience of car-sharing had been achieved:

• the highest frequency of use was in the afternoon instead of the expected evening hours;
• the shared car was mostly used for weekend trips, shopping, transports, and for the collection of friends;
• the number of weekend trips rapidly increased after the fall of the Wall;
• a city with 1.4 million cars users should offer a great potential for an innovative transport alternative.

The latter was the case as a report in the high-circulation weekly magazine "Der Spiegel" provoked a great response. In 1992 the STATTAUTO company achieved a satisfying loading factor, as the turnover was near 1 million DM and the operating result came to 70,000 DM. The implementation of the car-sharing idea had been pushed forward with success.

Implementation

Shortly after setting up, STATTAUTO company became a fast growing company (compare also results and impacts section). In mid-1996 the membership amounts to 3,100. This shares out to 1,800 single persons (58%), 500 two-person pooling (couple or long-term partnership) (31%), and 80 companies or projects (e.g. group sharing a flat, 4-6 persons) ((11%). 65% of the members are male; 80% are between 26 and 40 years old; 56% have a full-time job and 50% have university education. 54% of the new members got the information on STATTAUTO via advertisement or the media, 32% are recruited by friends. STATTAUTO itself is holding at least two major information campaigns per year and regular weekly information evenings. 21% of the new members had a car before they joined STATTAUTO, 42% had sold their car some time ago, 24% had shared a car with friends, and only 6% had no car before they became member. Some companies use the car-sharing system for delivery (e.g. a bread company).

The entrance fee is 200 DM for a single person, 200 DM for two-person pooling, and 400 DM for companies and projects. Thereafter, the monthly charge is 14 DM for a single person, 20 DM for two- person pooling, and 28 DM for companies and projects. After a test month the new members have to pay the entrance fee. Before people can join STATTAUTO they have to pay a deposit. The deposit without interest is 800 DM for a single person, 1,200 DM for two-person pooling, and 1,600 DM for companies and projects. Alternatively, a deposit with 3.5% interest per year is 1,300 DM for a single person, 1,950 DM for two-person pooling, and 2,600 DM for companies and projects. On leaving the company the deposit is fully repaid.

The current car stock is 140 vehicles which also includes two electric cars. In addition, STATTAUTO is running the first solar energy charging station. The cars are stationed at 40 distribution points. Each distribution point has between two and seven parking spaces. The distribution system for cars is spread over the city with a concentration in densely populated inner city districts. On average a STATTAUTO member reaches a distribution point in 10 minutes. Parking space is provided either by private persons, district authorities, or other institution (e.g. churches). As district authorities are confronted with a new situation of providing parking space to a car-sharing company they adopted the policy of renting a single space at the price of monthly public transport ticket (93 DM).

The cars can be booked 24 hours a day and members get a mobilcard which gives them access to the car-key lockers. In addition, each car is equpped with a pre-payment card which is used for cashless payment at the petrol stations.

Furthermore, STATTAUTO is offering a mobility concept for journeys and long-distance travel. Members are eligible to travel on all network of European Car-Sharing (compare for details the actors and structures section). In co-operation with a travel agency STATTAUTO is also arranging the booking of railway tickets and it is providing supply from the alternative shopping centre StattKauf.

Results and Impacts

The overview on STATTAUTOgrowth underlines the growing acceptance of the new mode of transport:

The figures for 1996 are calculated according to the average growth of previous years.

It is expected that by the year 2000 STATTAUTO will have approximately 10,000 members.

In the year 1996 STATTAUTO will achieve a reduction of 510,000 car kilometres which results in an annual decrease in CO₂ emissions of 80.32 tonnes.

Per one car-sharing vehicle, five cars are taken out of operation which leads to a reduction of approximately 42,000 kilometres per year.

Shared cars are mainly use in leisure time and for transport of goods. 77% of all journeys last under 24 hours, and in 56% of the journeys the travel distance is between 20 and 100 km. The travel distance per member fell from previously 8,700 km per year to 4,000 km per year. A shared car from STATTAUTO is driven approximately 30,000 km per year compared to the national 14,500 km per year with private cars. On average two persons are travelling with a STATTAUTO car compared to the national average of 1.3 persons in private car use.

Actors and Structures

The STATTAUTO company was founded as a limited liability company in 1990. In 1996 it employs a staff of 10 full time and 35 part time employees. The company is organising the operational service.

Member participation in the STATTAUTO company is achieved via regular meetings of the STATTAUTO registered association which is open to all STATTAUTO members. They have a say in issues like pricing.

STATTAUTO is member of European Car Sharing which has its headquarters in Bremen. The European Car Sharing is a network which gives shares access to the cars of the partner schemes. In 1995 there had been 40 networks in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The network comprises about 15,000 car-sharers with about 1,000 cars in 230 cities and towns.

Finance

The company offers different prices for different car types, different operating times, and in relation to the mileage.

There are five categories for car types ranging from Fiat Panda (1); Opel Corsa or electric mobile (2); Opel Astra (3); three-seater van or seven-seater car (4); to nine-seater bus (5). The car types are related to different prices (all prices in DM):

- prices below 500 km include petrol which is paid cashless with the STATTAUTO pre- payment petrol card;
- above 500 km the customer has to pay for petrol;
- women do not have to pay the inclusive prices after mid-night;
- there are special discounts for companies and projects (up to 20%).
- The final price includes the price for the operation time plus the price for mileage.

Evaluation and Statements

Car-Sharing Schemes are increasingly regarded as a viable option for the reduction of the use of private vehicles as the Enquete Commission the EarthAtmosphere of the German Bundestag in their 1995 report. The arguments are also relevant for the promotion of models like STATTAUTO:

other things, insurance law should be amended so that both driver and passenger are comprehensively protected against all risks arising from carrying passengers. The financial question must be properly resolved. An amendment to the Passenger Transport Law is needed, in order to allow drivers to accept remuneration for taking a passenger. Road traffic provisions should also include special provisions with the respect "to pick-up" and "drop-off" passenger cars. Similarly, special privileges should be granted to passenger cars used by more than one person, such as access to reserved lanes. (Enquete Commission the EarthAtmosphere of the German Bundestag1995: p.174)

The manager of STATTAUTO, Markus Petersen, regards two areas as essential for further spreading of the car-sharing concept (1993: p. 742):

1. the Road Traffic Act should be amended by a provision that reserves some car parking spaces for car-sharing vehicles (comparable to spaces for taxis);
2. research on the improvement of car-sharing concepts is needed for the area of marketing, software support, and technical equipment, especially car-sharing distribution points.

Furthermore, there should be a closer interlink of the car-sharing system with other environmentally compatible transport networks.

Source of Information

Petersen, Markus 1993: Teile und fahre. Fünf Jahre STATTAUTO Berlin, in: Internationales Verkehrswesen, Vol. 45, No.12, S. 740-742

Petersen, Markus 1993: Auto-Leasing und Car-Sharing - Effiziente Nutzung des Automobils als Unternehmenskonzept, in: Wolfgang Münst, (Hg.) Stadt statt Auto. Neue städtebauliche Qualitäten mit weniger Autos, Darmstadt

Petersen, Markus 1994: Das Car-Sharing-Projekt STATTAUTO, in: Siegfried Behrendt / Rolf Kreibich, (Hg.), Die Mobilität von morgen. Umwelt- und Verkehrsentlastung in den Städten, Weinheim, S. 241-252

Franke, Sassa 1994: Verkehrspolitik in Berlin. Chancen und Möglichkeiten zur Begrenzung des motorisierten Individualverkehrs, Diplomarbeit am Fachbereich Politische Wissenschaften der FU Berlin, Berlin

Baum, Herbert / Pesch, Stephan 1994: Untersuchung der Eignung von Car-Sharing im Hinblick auf Reduzierung von Stadtverkehrsproblemen, Studie im Auftrag des Bundesministers für Verkehr, Köln

Enquete Comission the EarthAtmosphere of the German Bundestag 1995: Mobility and Climate. Developing Environmentally Sound Transport Policy Concepts, Bonn

Contact:

Cities:

Berlin :

Berlin has a population of almost 3.5 million of which approximately 11% are foreign citizens. The wider conurbation has an additional population of nearly one million. The city covers 889 square kilometres; 38 km from north to south and 45 km from east to west. 24 per cent of the citys surface is water and navigable waterways are 197 km in length. In size it is almost as large as the densely populated Ruhr area in North Rhine Westfalia. Berlin is the largest city in Germany, and one of the sixteen regional States (Bundesländer) of the Federal Republic of Germany.

The unified municipality of Berlin is a decentralised body divided into 23 districts (Bezirke). The districts have between 50,000 and 300,000 inhabitants. They have responsibilities for local politics and their an own administration. Unlike independent municipalities, however, they do not have financial autonomy but are allocated funds by the City Government, the Senat of Berlin. The main authority for the City as a whole is the Senat which is divided into different administrative departments (comparable to Ministries in other German Länder).

Although Berlin has experienced a steady decline in industry, there are still over 200,000 people working in the manufacturing sector. Approximately 230,000 of the 1.5 million citizens in the workforce are employed in trade and about 750,000 people have jobs in service, primarily in the public sector.

In addition, Berlin is a centre of environmental research as well as technology and a great number of businesses are engaged in environment-related activities. According to a study by the ifo Institute in Munich and the IÖW (Institute for Ecological Economic Research) in Berlin 400 companies with 13,000 employees are directly involved in environmental protection (engineering offices, and producers and distributors of environmental technology). This number has tripled within the last ten years, and half of the companies have started as new businesses since 1990. Furthermore, Berlin is a stronghold scientific research with approx. 100 companies involved in measurement and analytical activities, approx. 80 eco-research institutes (including universities), and 45 public administration and authorities in charge of environmental matters.

Population:

Project was added at 27.06.96
Project was changed at 23.06.97