As the cost of living rises in Australia, many are struggling to stay afloat. Soaring interest rates and inflation are driving up household expenses, and many Australian households are seeking ways to cut costs.
Unfortunately, due to Australia's cost of living crisis, owning a car can cause financial strain. With continued rising costs, insurance, registration, maintenance and fuel expenses can become a burden for the average household.
Read on to compare car ownership expenses to car-sharing alternatives and see how the dollars stack up to see if car-sharing is the affordable solution Aussie’s need.
Just How Expensive is it to Run a Car For a Year?
According to the latest Transport Affordability Index published by the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), in the 12 months to June 30th 2024, transport costs rose a giant 10.5 percent for the typical Australian household. Additionally, it is reported that this quarter, households are spending 17 percent of their income on transport costs alone, further adding to the crushing strain.
To put it simply, for many Australians, the dream of owning a car comes with long-term expenses that might outweigh the benefits. These cumulative costs can make car ownership less feasible, especially in the current economic climate.
Here's a breakdown of the average weekly costs (per person) of transport in Australia, according to the AANA Transport Affordability Index, published August 2024:
When it comes to the annual costs of car ownership, you may be surprised by the amount the average Aussie household pays to keep each car. From state to state, these are the average annual costs of transport. While it tends to be more expensive for those living in major cities, rural towns aren't too far behind.
Costs of Car Sharing with KINTO
What are the alternatives to car ownership?
Renting or using car-sharing services such as KINTO® may offer more cost-effective solutions to traditional car ownership. KINTO's flexible, pay-as-you-go model removes long-term expenses like insurance, maintenance, depreciation, registration, and fuel, making it perfect for occasional drivers.
All you pay is the stated hire charge and the charge per kilometres driven specified at the time of your booking. So you can hire a range of vehicles for the hour, day, week or month as your needs change. Need more room for the whole family? Choose the 7-seater Toyota Kluger or the zippy C-HR to run errands around the neighbourhood. KINTO® offers all the perks of a car without the added costs.
Is car sharing the way forward?
We think so! Here are the starting costs to hire a KINTO hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly.
For example;
Vanessa is an occasional driver. On average, she uses her car twice a week as she takes public transport to her job in the city and works from home on other days. She mainly uses her car to grocery shop locally and sometimes to see her friends on weekends.
In one week, Vanessa uses KINTO twice: once for groceries and another for brunch with friends. This would be her weekly charge to hire a KINTO:
The above is an example only and the actual costs will vary, including depending on the length of KINTO® bookings and the type of vehicle booked. However, in this example when compared to the average weekly expenses of car ownership for Australian households, it’s easy to see that car ownership costs may outweigh those of car sharing services like KINTO® particularly for occasional drivers.
With a flexible pay-as-you-go model, occasional drivers can avoid the hefty ongoing costs of insurance, fuel, registration, and maintenance. This makes car sharing an impactful way to reduce expenses while still maintaining access to a vehicle.
Does KINTO suit your needs?
KINTO® is a flexible solution to car ownership and is ideal for users in various situations. These are some of our users who could benefit from the car-share lifestyle:
FIFO Workers
Avoid the high costs of owning a car while away for extended periods. Use car sharing alternatives when you're on R & R and enjoy the time away from work. Read our recent blog, Short term car hire for the FIFO lifestyle, to see how car sharing may be right for you.
Occasional Larger Car Needs
Car sharing offers a fantastic solution to those who occasionally need a larger car. Why settle for one car when you can pick and choose depending on your weekly needs? Taking a road trip? Opt for the roomier Toyota RAV4. Moving house? Hire a HiAce Van. With car sharing, you have an inventory of cars right at your fingertips.
Urban Living
With the perks of urban living come the drawbacks of scarce parking. Use KINTO® and reap the advantages of having a car without the stress of securing or paying for a parking space at the end of a long day. Simply return the vehicle to the on-street parking spot or dealership where you picked it up at the start of your booking, and you're all set to get on with your day — it's that easy.
Convenient CBD Locations
KINTO® has hundreds of locations across Australia, including many in CBD areas and near apartment complexes. These convenient locations give city dwellers multiple KINTO® vehicles to choose from, making it easier to access a car when needed.
So whether you're looking for a car for an afternoon of errands or a weekend getaway, KINTO® offers a flexible, affordable alternative to full-time car ownership. KINTO® allows households to cut expenses where they can without losing the ability to use a car when needed.
Fight the rising cost of living with simple solutions that don't compromise convenience. With hundreds of locations across Australia, some available 24/7, KINTO® is available whenever and wherever you need it.
What are you waiting for? Simply download the KINTO® app and book to experience the KINTO® difference for yourself.
Please note, the above are recommendations only and the KINTO® team has no paid partnership or affiliation with the businesses listed. Prices valid as of 24/10/24.
