Spotlight on bikesharing and demand-responsive transit (DRT) as market revenues cross $900 billion mark.
Despite economic and operational headwinds over the last few years, the global shared mobility market is poised for a moderate rebound in 2025 and beyond. Technological advances, policy support, evolving consumer expectations, and strong regional demand are creating growth opportunities across key segments ranging from ridehailing and bikesharing to robotaxis and demand-responsive transit (DRT).
Frost & Sullivan has identified the key trends that will define the global shared mobility landscape in 2025. These include the accelerated electrification of fleets in segments like bikesharing and ridehailing, the growing role of AI in operational optimization, and the expansion of services into underserved rural and emerging urban markets. Trends also indicate an impending shift from one-size-fits-all models toward hyper-localized, niche solutions that cater to specific communities, demographics, and use cases. As multimodal transport hubs and integrated digital payment systems gain traction, the convergence of public and private mobility offerings will become progressively more seamless and user-centric.
To learn more, please access: Global Shared Mobility Predictions and Outlook, 2025, Benchmarking of Key Cities and Their Transport Development Strategies, The Evolution from Mobility-as-a-Service to Mobility-as-a-Feature, or contact [email protected] for information on a private briefing.
Major Trends with Strategic Implications for 2025 and Beyond
The transition to electrified solutions will continue to pick up momentum, particularly in the ridehailing and bikesharing segments. High daily usage rates will make electrified vehicles economically viable, even while stricter emissions regulations will compel more operators to electrify their fleets. Partnerships between mobility platforms and automakers, such as Uber’s collaboration with BYD to deploy over 100,000 EVs, will help scale this transformation. Frost & Sullivan estimates that 40% of all shared mobility vehicles will be electric by the end of 2025, with e-bikes projected to comprise more than 36% of total bikesharing fleets.
Source: Frost & Sullivan, 2025
Geographical expansion will be another defining feature of the market this year. While Western markets are nearing saturation, growth opportunities are emerging in Africa, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Ridehailing and DRT solutions will expand into these regions, spurred by rapid urbanization and an expanding middle class. Frost & Sullivan estimates that approximately 30% of new DRT services launched in 2025 will be in rural areas, offering reliable alternatives where traditional public transit has failed to reach. Operators like Via, Padam Mobility, and Ioki are focusing increasingly on community-based, localized service models that address gaps in access and affordability.
The competitive intensity of the global shared mobility market will further reinforce specialization. Companies are identifying niche use cases such as kid-safe ridehailing, residential EV carsharing, and university-focused DRT to achieve competitive differentiation. This targeted approach is expected to become stronger in 2025, as cities and regulators shift their focus from just increasing the number of services to improving the quality of life. Urban planners are also investing in shared micro-logistics hubs and multimodal terminals to enhance accessibility, reduce congestion, and promote low-emission transport alternatives.
Another important trend will be the growing interoperability between shared mobility services and public transport systems. Seamless ticketing enabled through smart cards and mobile apps will allow users to travel across buses, trains, bikes, and ridehailing platforms with a single payment interface. Simultaneously, universal payment systems and greater data sharing among stakeholders is poised to unlock the full potential of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS), particularly as governments prioritize sustainability.
Source: Frost & Sullivan, 2025
Meanwhile, the robotaxi segment will continue to evolve. China and the U.S. are leading the charge, with Waymo currently logging around 150,000 rides per week and Baidu clocking nearly 12,000 daily trips. However, challenges persist: while Waymo is steadily moving toward cost-efficiency with its sixth-generation autonomous vehicles, many other companies are struggling with regulatory and financial hurdles. Nevertheless, autonomous vehicle deployment is expected to expand into the Middle East and APAC in 2025, propelled by strategic partnerships and favorable regulation.
2024 in Retrospect and Forecast for 2025
2024 was a year of mixed outcomes for the shared mobility ecosystem. Electrification made significant strides, especially in the bikesharing segment, with North America and Japan witnessing over 50% growth in electric bike fleets. Ridehailing also witnessed deeper EV penetration, supported by favorable policies and partnerships. DRT picked up pace, with nearly 400 new services launched globally, spearheaded by expansion in Japan and South Korea.
In the carsharing segment, traditional models registered modest growth. Free-floating fleets and round-trip services expanded. And although peer-to-peer (P2P) services contracted in Western markets, P2P has been gaining momentum in Southeast Asia, highlighting divergences in consumer preferences and business model viability across regions.
Many forecasts from Frost & Sullivan’s Global Shared Mobility Outlook, 2024 study proved accurate including that the global revenue opportunity would exceed $900 billion and that ridehailing unicorns would transition to profitability. Also borne out were predictions of it being a challenging year for free-floating carshare and the MaaS space. Also on the ball were predictions about China surpassing the U.S in the robotaxi market in terms of the number of operational cities and DRT taking off in South Koreasupported by the national Mobility Innovation Roadmap.
Looking ahead to 2025, the market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% through 2030. While challenges remain—particularly in fleet scalability and regulatory hurdles—the fundamentals point to robust growth. Developing economies, especially in Africa and the Middle East, are poised to lead in DRT and ridehailing expansion. Operators like Uber, Bolt, and Didi are forecast to , from local governments, especially in APAC and North America. Shared mobility’s role in last-mile and rural transportation will continue to strengthen, backed by public-private partnerships and digital innovation.
Our Perspective
To stay competitive and relevant, shared mobility operators will need to double down on electrification. Transitioning to low-emission fleets will not only be a regulatory imperative but will also enable operational savings. Integrating multimodal services such as e-bikes, scooters, EV carsharing, and even delivery solutions will allow operators to meet growing demand while aligning with broader sustainability goals.
Strategic partnerships will also play a critical role. Collaborating with automakers, energy providers, local governments, and autonomous vehicle developers will help overcome infrastructure and capital constraints. In particular, robotaxi development will require alliances that span hardware, software, and service delivery to ensure user acceptance.
Data analytics and AI are set to catalyze fleet optimization. From route planning and vehicle deployment to predictive maintenance and customer segmentation, AI-driven insights will significantly enhance efficiency and profitability. Operators will need to invest in technology that promotes personalization and hyper-localization, particularly as the market shifts away from mass-scale solutions.
Finally, shared mobility platforms will need to work collaboratively with cities and communities to create efficient and flexible transport ecosystems. As rural and emerging urban areas become the next frontier, customized models will be key to success.
With inputs from Amrita Shetty, Associate Director, Communications & Content – Mobility
