Trends
From ownership to access: 5 trends that are redefining mobility
3 March 2026
While car rental used to revolve around counter rentals, clear contract periods, and fixed contracts, consumers and businesses are now rapidly evolving toward flexible, digital, and on-demand use. For rental companies, mobility providers, and a growing number of car dealers, this means one thing: Whoever can offer flexibility wins. Those who cling to traditional models lose ground.
In this article, we outline five trends that demonstrate the origins of this shift. We also show how a platform like ProPlanner helps organizations organize this flexibility in a smart, efficient, and scalable way.
1. The significant decline in car ownership
- Major European cities have seen a clear shift from car ownership to other mobility solutions for years.
- Younger generations are outspoken advocates of the move towards less car ownership.
- As the total cost of car ownership rises, flexible mobility options are being sought.
2. The growing supply of shared mobility and subscriptions
- Shared mobility is no longer a hype, it is a structural evolution.
- The more suppliers saturate the market, the more influence this has on consumer behavior.
- In Belgium too, we see more and more international players saturating the market, such as Sixt+, Europcar and Hertz My Car.
3. The growing gap between job market flexibility and long-term leasing contracts
- There is a clear increase in freelance, self-employed, interim and flexi-jobs.
- The average seniority of employees is on a downward trend.
- The planned introduction of a mandatory mobility budget in Belgian companies is stimulating the growing demand for flexible solutions.
- Companies are less inclined to enter into long-term lease obligations and want to be able to cancel on a monthly basis.
4. The accelerated demand for flexibility through urban policy and sustainability
In many cities, it's simply becoming less attractive to drive your own car. Think of low-emission zones, strict parking policies, and traffic-free zones, all of which are accelerating the adoption of on-demand and shared mobility.
5. The Uber Effect: Mobility Becomes On-Demand
- Uber and Bolt are setting a new standard with on-demand mobility, a digital service with high expectations for convenience and transparency.
- These high expectations extend to the entire sector: slow and paper-based processes at dealers and rental companies are no longer acceptable.
- Digital-first is the norm: A frictionless, user-friendly experience is a basic requirement today.
How ProPlanner helps car dealers, rental companies and mobility providers switch
More and more Belgian, Dutch and European players are using ProPlanner to enable flexible supply without burdening their internal processes.
- Flexible contract types
Switch effortlessly between short-term leases, subscriptions, car sharing, daily rentals, demo vehicles, replacement vehicles... without having to use vehicles specifically for one purpose. - 100% digital workflows
The workflow in ProPlanner has been fully digital for years, from contracts and signatures to check-in and check-out via tablet, processing damages and fines, invoicing, quotes... Processes that are all automated.
No paperwork. No duplicate paperwork. No errors. - Perfect planning for multiple locations
For the typical dealer and rental structure. With transparency regarding availability, vehicles, and costs. - Open APIs for integrations
ProPlanner integrates seamlessly with DMS systems, telematics software, accounting software, self-service options, and more. Essential for companies that want to flexibly switch between different mobility options. - Prepared for new business models
Car sharing, subscriptions, or fully digital rentals? With ProPlanner, you can launch new services without added complexity or IT costs.
👉 Ready to future-proof your mobility offering?
New reservations
+
15
Check in
8
today
3 within the hour
3 within the hour
Filters
Pool (4)
Resourcetype (1)
Tag (2)
Rental type (1)
Alert
Oil level low
Check out
8
today
3 within the hour
3 within the hour
Fleet occupancy rate
+
12,4
%
Available cars
47
available
TCO
ProPlanner optimizes your fleet, thanks to
a visual planning
a clear dashboard
correct fine processing
paperless administration
digital claims management
watertight contracts
automated processes
structured reports
user-friendly screens
Discover more?