Adoption Intentions of Free-Floating Car Sharing (FFCS) in France: A PLS-SEM approach

Free-Floating Car Sharing (FFCS) is often considered a service that can help reduce car ownership and, consequently, the demand for parking spaces, representing a promising solution to space constraints in urban areas. Despite mixed evidence regarding its benefits, transport policies continue to support shared mobility in European countries. To explore the potential of FFCS, we collected data from over 1,000 respondents, representative of the urban motorized population in five main French cities (i.e. Paris, Lyon, Lille, Bordeaux and Nantes). We investigated intentions to adopt FFCS, focusing on five dimensions: social influence, compatibility, environmental friendliness, effort expectancy, and scarcity risk. Recognizing the expected development of vehicle automation in general, and shared mobility automation in particular, we also examined trust in autonomous vehicles (AVs) to understand how AVs perceptions could reinforce or weaken FFCS adoption intentions. Our findings provide practical implications for car sharing service providers and policymakers, offering valuable insights into the significant determinants of FFCS adoption as far as perception and attitude are concerned. For example, the study shows that social and personal fit plays a significant role in shaping the intention to adopt FFCS. Therefore, fostering a perception of FFCS as a socially accepted and convenient alternative is crucial for enhancing its uptake. In addition, building trust in AV technology may be important for the adoption of FFCS in the near future, especially as autonomous fleets are expected to become more prevalent. These insights can support more targeted strategies by car sharing providers and policymakers, especially as cities prepare for shifts toward automation and shared vehicle use.