Transportation mobility options are not only critical for many people’s lives, but they are also a key element of a thriving economy. As our world becomes more urbanized though, many are choosing not to purchase a car of their own due to the ever-growing and increasing cost of ownership.
There is already a growing body of evidence that suggests[1] car ownership may no longer be a good deal. When people become unhinged from their cars, they no longer have to worry about issues such as parking, insurance, maintenance and fuel costs.
It’s evident that the sharing economy, a rapidly growing social phenomenon that has sprung out of the digital economy, is upending the trajectory of many industries and, in general, challenging the status quo. Using this model, owners share resources they're not using, such as a car, a bicycle, or other mobility option for marginal profit.
A new startup company, Helbiz, envisions a world of decentralized transportation by way of an on-demand, peer-to-peer (P2P) marketplace. The company is poised to serve as the nexus between those seeking short-term mobility rental and those with access to a private vehicle, bike, motorcycle or even an airplane.
To usher in the decentralized sharing-economy business model, Helbiz is championing the notion that mobility options can become money-making assets for owners who choose to rent them. In other words, Hellbiz wants to monetize the cars and other mobility assets that often sit idle the vast majority of the time. This value proposition is of particular appeal to a new generation of potential users who harbor a “car-free, rent it when you need it” mindset.
Helbiz intends to provide mass consumer adoption by implementing a state-of-the-art application available on smart devices that enables users to unlock and start a car digitally, without the
