Vehicle Features Influence Peer-to-Peer Car-Sharing: A Social Network Analysis Findings from Emerging Car-Sharing System

The transformation of urban mobility is accelerating, and shared transport models offer viable alternatives to private car ownership. Among the range of short-term car rental business models available on the market is the peer-to-peer (P2P) car-sharing model, which enables private vehicle owners to rent their cars via digital platforms. Despite its growth, the impact of vehicle attributes on P2P adoption remains under-researched, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. This study examines how vehicle attributes shape user preferences. The study was conducted for a system planned for launch in Warsaw, using social network analysis (SNA) to reveal decision-making patterns and interdependencies between attributes. The study was conducted by assessing twelve key vehicle attributes. The results identify three key preference clusters: sustainability and efficiency, safety and technology, and practicality and cost. These findings underscore the growing demand for environmentally friendly, technologically advanced vehicles, which is significant to policy makers, manufacturers, and mobility service providers. The study suggests that electric vehicle incentives, advanced driver assistance systems, and the integration of user-driven technology will be key to the expansion of P2P car-sharing. By addressing gaps in understanding vehicle preferences, this study provides practical insights for optimizing shared mobility models in urban environments.