Car Sharing Pricing & Rates
Car sharing uses a different pricing model than scooters and e-bikes. Instead of per-minute rates, car rentals are priced by the hour, day, week, or month. This guide explains how to set up pricing, manage deposits, and understand the platform fee structure.
How Car Pricing Differs from Micromobility
| Feature | Scooters & E-Bikes | Car Sharing |
|---|---|---|
| Rate structure | Per-minute with unlock fee | Hourly, daily, weekly, monthly |
| Mileage | Unlimited | Included allowance + overage charge |
| Fuel/charging | Managed by operator | Surcharge if returned low |
| Deposits | Optional (usually none) | Common ($100–$500) |
| Insurance | Not typically required | Often required |
Setting Up Rates
Pricing tiers are configured per vehicle type (or vehicle model). This lets you charge different rates for different classes of vehicles.
Rate Fields
| Rate | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly Rate | Charge per hour for short rentals | $15/hr |
| Daily Rate | Charge per day (24-hour period) | $50/day |
| Weekly Rate | Charge per week (7 days) | $300/week |
| Monthly Rate | Charge per month (30 days) | $1,000/month |
Discount Incentives
Longer durations should offer better per-day value. For example, if your daily rate is $50 ($350/week equivalent), set the weekly rate to $300 — a 14% discount that encourages longer bookings and improves vehicle utilization.
How Rates Are Applied
The system automatically selects the most favorable rate for the customer based on the rental duration:
- Under 24 hours: Hourly rate, capped at the daily rate
- 1–6 days: Daily rate
- 7–29 days: Weekly rate (pro-rated for partial weeks)
- 30+ days: Monthly rate (pro-rated for partial months)
Security Deposits
Security deposits are refundable holds placed on the customer's payment method at the time of booking or check-in.
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Default Deposit | The standard deposit for reservations (default: $250) |
| Per-Tier Deposit | Override the default deposit for specific vehicle types |
Deposits are:
- Authorized (not captured) when the reservation is confirmed
- Captured if the customer fails to return the vehicle or damage occurs
- Released automatically after a successful check-out with no issues
Authorization Holds
Deposit authorizations typically expire after 7 days with most payment processors. For longer rentals, the deposit may be re-authorized periodically.
Late Return Fees
If a customer returns a vehicle after the scheduled return time, late fees apply:
| Setting | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Late Return Fee | $15.00/hour | Charged per hour past the scheduled return time |
Late fees are calculated automatically and added to the final billing summary during check-out.
Mileage Pricing
Each pricing tier includes a mileage allowance and overage rate:
| Setting | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Included KM per Day | 160 km | Free mileage included in the daily rate |
| Overage per KM | $0.40 | Charge per kilometer over the daily allowance |
Mileage is tracked via Smartcar odometer readings at check-in and check-out. See Fuel & Mileage Surcharges for detailed calculation examples.
Platform Fees
Levy Fleets charges a platform fee for car sharing, separate from micromobility platform fees:
| Model | Rate | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Per-Vehicle | $15/vehicle/month | Larger fleets with high utilization |
| Revenue Share | 8% of net revenue | Smaller fleets or those starting out |
Platform fees are calculated on net revenue (after payment processing fees are deducted). Both operator and Levy share proportionally in Stripe processing costs.
Stripe Processing
Levy has volume-discounted Stripe rates: 2.6% + $0.20 per transaction (vs. the standard 2.9% + $0.30). This discount benefits all operators on the platform.
Vehicle Models and Classes
For operators with diverse fleets, vehicles can be organized into vehicle classes (e.g., Economy, Comfort, SUV, Luxury). Each class can have:
- Its own pricing tier
- A display name and icon
- A sort order in the customer-facing vehicle browser
Vehicle classes also integrate with Car-as-a-Service subscription plans, where each plan covers a specific vehicle class.
Pricing Examples
Economy Sedan
| Rate | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $12/hr |
| Daily | $45/day |
| Weekly | $270/week |
| Monthly | $900/month |
| Included mileage | 160 km/day |
| Mileage overage | $0.35/km |
| Deposit | $200 |
SUV / Crossover
| Rate | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $20/hr |
| Daily | $75/day |
| Weekly | $450/week |
| Monthly | $1,500/month |
| Included mileage | 160 km/day |
| Mileage overage | $0.50/km |
| Deposit | $350 |
Luxury / Premium
| Rate | Amount |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $35/hr |
| Daily | $125/day |
| Weekly | $750/week |
| Monthly | $2,500/month |
| Included mileage | 200 km/day |
| Mileage overage | $0.75/km |
| Deposit | $500 |
Need Help?
For guidance on pricing strategy or help configuring rates for your fleet, contact us at support@levyelectric.com.