More Irish motorists are reconsidering the cost of owning a car as rising fuel, insurance and maintenance costs drive growing interest in flexible alternatives such as car sharing, according to new research commissioned by GoCar ahead of National Car Share Day on Friday, 24 July.
The nationally representative iReach survey found that 62% of Irish adults identify fuel costs as one of the biggest financial pressures associated with owning and running a car, while 61% identify insurance as one of the biggest financial pressures associated with owning and running a car. The research also found that almost one in three (31%) Irish adults would consider replacing a household car with car sharing if a vehicle was available within a five-minute walk of their home, highlighting growing openness to alternatives to private car ownership. More than half (53%) also agree that the Government should introduce tax incentives to encourage people to use car-sharing services instead of owning a second car, where practical.
The findings reflect a broader shift in consumer behaviour that GoCar is already seeing across its network. The company estimates that its service has helped remove approximately 90,000 private vehicles from Irish roads, reflecting the growing role of shared mobility across Ireland.
During the first half of 2026, GoCar recorded a 10.8% increase in app downloads, while first-time users increased by 7.1%, trip volumes grew by 8.5%, and its average monthly active fleet expanded by 8.3%, compared with the same period last year.
The latest customer insights also show that 47% of GoCar users say freedom from ongoing costs such as insurance, motor tax, fuel and servicing is their primary reason for choosing car sharing, highlighting the growing appeal of access over ownership as household budgets remain under pressure.
Previous GoCar Index research found that privately owned cars spend 92% of their time parked, while 60% of GoCar users said they would purchase a private vehicle if car sharing wasn’t available, highlighting the role shared mobility can play in reducing unnecessary car ownership, easing congestion and supporting Ireland’s climate ambitions.
Joe Quirke, Head of GoCar, said:
“The cost of owning and running a car continues to rise, and we’re seeing more people question whether owning a vehicle full-time makes financial sense for their lifestyle.
“More and more people are choosing access over ownership because it gives them the flexibility to drive when they need to, without the ongoing costs of insurance, tax, servicing and maintenance. The continued growth we’re seeing across GoCar reflects that shift in consumer behaviour.
“The research highlights the financial pressures many households are facing and shows that more people are open to alternatives to traditional car ownership. As Ireland looks at ways to reduce transport emissions while easing pressure on household finances, car sharing has an increasingly important role to play.
“National Car Share Day is about encouraging more people to experience those benefits for themselves. Whether you’re already a member or trying GoCar for the first time, it’s a great opportunity to discover a smarter, more affordable way to get around.”
To mark National Car Share Day on Friday, 24 July, GoCar is offering double loyalty points for existing members and one hour of free driving for new customers who use the promo code CARSHARE26, giving more people the opportunity to experience the benefits of car sharing firsthand. On 1 August, GoCar will also celebrate 13 years since launching in Dublin, having grown from a local service into a nationwide car-sharing network.