A recent industry update indicates a sharp uptick in the illegal sale of car sharing accounts during March, rising by roughly 40 percent from February. The figures come from a credible report that cites a market source familiar with the trend. In February, about 250 listings were observed, and in March there were around 350. The rise is linked to a growing demand for car sharing services, which has surged as personal car ownership becomes more costly amid ongoing sanctions and economic pressures. Vendors in the sector have reported noticeable price shifts, with one provider noting that the typical price range for these accounts expanded significantly. Where February prices hovered between 800 and 6,000 rubles, March listings frequently exceeded 10,000 rubles. The shift reflects the combined effect of higher service demand and tightened availability for legitimate access, pushing buyers toward unauthorized channels despite the risks involved.
Analysts point out that the users behind these accounts often do not possess the required registration documents or fail to meet age or experience prerequisites for legitimate use. In such cases, penalties and fines are typically charged to the individual listed in the account profile, rather than to the actual driver. This creates a layer of distance between the person who operates the vehicle and the person who is held financially responsible, complicating enforcement and accountability in a system already stressed by regulatory changes and sanctions. The dynamic underscores a broader issue in urban mobility where access to ride-hailing and car sharing can outpace the capacity of regulations to monitor and intervene effectively, especially when price signals encourage quick, illicit acquisitions of access credentials.
In related industry news, there have been reports about fleet expansion projects that aim to bolster taxi and car sharing networks. A recent announcement noted a contract for the delivery of a large batch of electric vehicles intended for use in those services, illustrating ongoing investments in electrified mobility. These developments suggest a dual trajectory in the sector: legitimate growth driven by new, cleaner fleets and simultaneous challenges from unauthorized entries into the market that test regulatory frameworks and operator safeguards. The expanding fleet plans reflect a strategic emphasis on modernizing urban transportation options, increasing efficiency for operators, and providing more choices for customers seeking convenient, environmentally friendly travel. Yet the proliferation of unverified or illegal account access remains a pressing concern that industry stakeholders must address through tighter verification, consumer education, and coordinated enforcement measures.