The car-sharing organisation Dégage! has urged the city of Ghent to provide a €250 incentive to car owners who share their vehicles.
During the inauguration of a "future tree" at Tondelierkaai, John Wante of Dégage! highlighted that such a financial incentive could encourage more people to share their cars.
“If we can convince 1 in 50 car owners to share their vehicles, we could introduce 2,000 shared cars in Ghent,” stated Wante. “This could result in thousands fewer cars in the city, freeing up space for initiatives like public green areas or cycling paths.”
The tree, planted by Ghent’s city Parks Department, was a prize Dégage! received as a laureate of the 2024 Ghent Climate Award, presented by the Ghent Climate Forum, recognising their commitment to sustainable mobility.
Dégage! currently has over 7,000 members and 551 shared cars, with more than 300 located in Ghent. Last year, nearly 150 new owners registered to share their cars, setting a record for the organisation.
“A subsidy could provide the extra push needed,” Wante noted. “For the city, it’s a relatively inexpensive measure to create additional space, especially in times of budget cuts.”
At the inauguration, Dégage! members present added extra water to the future tree and tied green ribbons with their wishes for a more sustainable Ghent.
