In the Bavarian village of Amerang, distances are long and buses rarely run. So, is it possible to live in the countryside without owning a car? Amerang proves that it is: 22 households share just three cars. What began as a temporary fix has become a model for community-driven, climate-friendly mobility. Similar carsharing projects in France, Canada, and the Netherlands are also transforming rural life. This is how Bavaria makes rural carsharing work.
A car of your own – often a necessity in rural areas.
In 2006, Tilo Teply moved with his family of six from Munich to Amerang – a small village in Upper Bavaria with fewer than 4,000 residents. It lies 25 kilometers from Rosenheim, has no train connection, and a bus network that often shuts down on weekends. Owning a car seemed like the only option.
“At first, we borrowed cars from relatives,” Teply told the German sustainability magazine Utopia. But this wasn’t a permanent solution – so they got their own car, which they shared with neighbors.
Living in a rural area without a car is limiting. So the Teply family looked for a solution that would make daily life easier while still being sustainable. Then came the turning point: At a local conference, a nearby carsharing association presented their system. That sparked something. Together with five other households, Teply founded the Amerang Carsharing Community (AmAG). Today, AmAG operates three vehicles, a car trailer, and offers an alternative for anyone wanting to live car-free.
(Photo: Unsplash/Roman Kraft)
Clear rules, strong community: How AmAG works
AmAG has clear rules to ensure ease of use for all members:
- A one-time deposit of 450 euros, refundable upon exit
- A monthly fee of five euros, plus usage-based rates
- Booking via online system or phone
- A local garage provides maintenance and repairs
Even the municipality itself is part of AmAG and uses the cars for official purposes – a strong sign of cooperation between the community and local government.
Fewer cars means more space – and stronger ties
The system doesn’t just reduce traffic and free up space in the village center – it brings people together who might otherwise never connect:
Idealists who choose to live without a car.
Young adults who can’t afford a vehicle.
Older residents who no longer drive but want to stay mobile.
When a ride is planned, others often spontaneously join – and carpooling emerges naturally. As Teply puts it:
“You need to be willing to engage and compromise. Carsharing definitely improves social skills.”
His wish for the future? A carport for AmAG – so elderly members don’t have to scrape ice off the windshields in winter.
From Bavaria to Canada: Rural carsharing is on the rise
Other countries also have successful models showing that cars can be shared outside big cities:
- France: In the Ardèche region, residents share electric vehicles via a central booking system, just like in Amerang.
- Netherlands: The initiative OnzeAuto promotes neighborhood-based electric car sharing, self-organized and self-managed. Instead of paying commercial providers, residents run the system themselves – from bookings to maintenance. This local approach increases acceptance and strengthens community bonds.
- Canada: The cooperative Modo proves that shared vehicles work outside cities too. Its network now includes 25 communities in British Columbia. As a co-op, members are also co-owners – reinforcing both responsibility and a sense of belonging.
What all these models have in common: They rely on human connection. Not anonymous corporations, but shared local responsibility.
