Barriers to peer-to-peer car sharing adoption and strategic pathways forward: a comprehensive literature review with meta-analysis

• Comprehensive review and meta -analysis of 77 studies on P2P car sharing. • Identifies market divergence in P2PCS and discusses viable future pathways. • Synthesizes adoption drivers and barriers across users, platforms, and regulation. • Compares P2PCS with B2C carsharing and emerging autonomous mobility models. • Proposes business and policy strategies to support P2PCS growth and integration. Peer-to-Peer Car Sharing (P2PCS) has emerged as an innovative and sustainable transportation model, experiencing uneven market development across regions, yet it has not been exclusively and comprehensively reviewed until now. This study reviews 77 P2PCS publications from major academic databases, comprehensively analyzing data sources, methodologies, and key findings. A meta -analysis addresses four core themes: comparisons between P2PCS and traditional B2C car sharing to identify key advantages of P2PCS, adoption barriers of P2PCS, user characteristics and motivations, and mitigation strategies for businesses as well as public policy recommendations. Findings reveal that P2PCS offers greater operational flexibility than B2C models, serving both urban and rural areas while achieving more sustainable objectives and reducing emissions by utilizing existing vehicles. Key barriers involve trust issues, low demand, competition, and operational challenges. Users typically include younger, eco-conscious owners and cost-sensitive renters from smaller towns. Effective business strategies focus on building trust, expanding markets, and improving services through technology. Policy recommendations emphasize raising awareness, adapting regulations, fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration, and integrating P2PCS with public transport to support sustainable mobility. Moreover, the study outlines major research gaps and proposes future directions derived from both academic literature and industry insights. This review offers valuable insights for policymakers, business providers, and researchers aiming to advance sustainable transport through P2PCS.