Electric vehicles (EVs), demand responsive transport (DRT), and community-led initiatives will be among the key trends shaping the future of rural shared mobility in Europe.
By Albert Geraldine Priya, Research Manager – Mobility
Rural areas in Europe, with population densities of under 150 inhabitants per square kilometer, face significant mobility challenges. These include limited public transport alternatives, geographic isolation, and an aging population with reduced mobility. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, accessible, and affordable transportation solutions. Shared mobility holds the promise of providing on-demand, flexible services that can meet the unique needs of rural residents. However, successful implementation will depend on factors such as infrastructure, technology, and community involvement.
Led by the objectives of decarbonizing transportation and enhancing connectivity, many European countries, including Germany and the UK, have been expanding Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) services. These services, such as shared minibuses operate based on real-time demand, offering a feasible solution for rural areas where demand is inconsistent. Meanwhile, the European Commission’s long-term vision for rural areas, through its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, aims to improve connectivity, resilience, and prosperity by 2040. This includes increasing the use of zero-emission vehicles and high-speed rail. Efforts are also underway to improve digital infrastructure, such as broadband and mobile coverage, which are crucial for supporting digital mobility platforms.
Today, over 30 operators, including Uber, Donkey Republic, Padam Mobility and Bolt, provide services like ride hailing, bike sharing, and DRT in rural Europe. Frost & Sullivan projects the rural shared mobility market in the region to reach a value of $3.07 billion by 2030.
To learn more, please see: Shared Mobility in Rural Areas in Europe, 2024-2030 and Growth Opportunities in Global Traditional Carsharing, 2024-2030, or contact [email protected] for information on a private briefing.
Sustainable and Accessible Rural Shared Mobility Solutions Emerge
Several key trends are shaping the future of shared mobility in rural Europe, offering new opportunities for sustainable and accessible transportation.
The adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in rural areas is accelerating, with battery EV (BEV) registrations increasing by 144% between 2019 and 2020. The expansion of EVs in shared fleets has the potential to significantly reduce emissions, making transport in rural areas more sustainable. To promote further uptake, developing supportive policies, expanding charging infrastructure, electrifying municipal fleets, and setting local charging goals will be essential.
DRT services offer flexible, on-demand transportation in rural areas, benefiting those with limited access to public transport. By integrating technology, DRT can improve efficiency and expand service areas, making it an essential component of rural mobility. Successful examples include Luxembourg’s Bummelbus and Spain’s Castlla y Leon service. Frost & Sullivan expects DRT shuttles in rural areas to register a CAGR of 46.9% from 2024-2030 to reach around 8,800 vehicles by 2030.
Local residents in rural areas are increasingly taking control of their transportation needs. Community-driven mobility initiatives, such as car-sharing services in Northumberland (UK) and ridesharing service in Denmark’s Nabogo, are gaining traction. These solutions can alleviate dependence on private vehicles and provide more cost-effective and flexible options for rural communities.
Rural areas face challenges related to poor public transport coverage due to lower population density. High car ownership rates further complicate the issue. Connecting rural regions to urban centers through services like carpooling or train park-and-ride hubs can reduce car reliance and improve mobility. Programs like those in Grand Est, France, and Flanders, Belgium, are already promoting shared mobility in these contexts.
As rural tourism grows, shared mobility services can help reduce environmental impacts. Initiatives like bike sharing, eco-friendly ferries, and mobility hubs are enhancing sustainable tourism by offering alternatives to private vehicles.
Faced with an aging demographic and limited public transport options in rural areas, volunteer driving programs are also becoming crucial. Programs like DorfMobil in Germany—a community-based network of on-demand, door-to door transportation services— help bridge transportation gaps and are increasingly integrating with other mobility solutions.
Our Perspective
Developing comprehensive multimodal environments that incorporate shared cars, bikes, and shuttle services, among others, will ensure that all user segments in rural areas have efficient transport solutions. Technology integration in terms of providing real-time updates on a vehicle’s accessibility features for the elderly or disabled, voice- and text-based booking systems for areas with poor connectivity and streamlining first- and last-mile connectivity will be other strategies to ensure effective and inclusive shared mobility options. From another perspective, technology—whether in the form of autonomous shuttles or AI-enabled dynamic routing—will support cost, time, and resource efficiencies.
With EVs set to dominate rural shared mobility fleets, stakeholders will need to expand EV charging station networks. Infrastructure investments should also embrace park-and-ride facilities near public transport hubs. Finally, public-private partnerships will be pivotal to ensuring the sustainable and successful operation of rural shared mobility solutions over the long-term.
With inputs from Amrita Shetty, Senior Manager, Communications & Content – Mobility
