Host Break-Even Pricing Model
A cost-based pricing system designed for car-sharing hosts
Pricing a vehicle on a car-sharing platform shouldn’t feel like guessing, hoping, or reacting after the damage is done.
The Host Break-Even Pricing Model is a structured, spreadsheet-based system that helps you understand the real daily cost of operating your vehicle — so you can price with clarity, protect cash flow, and avoid unknowingly losing money.
Built by a CPA and active host, this model focuses on one simple question:
“What do I need to charge per day to at least break even?”
Everything flows from that answer.
What this tool does
This model helps you:
Calculate your true break-even daily price
Understand how trip length, discounts, and fees affect profitability
Evaluate whether delivery, promotions, or non-refundable discounts actually make sense
Identify pricing scenarios that quietly lose money
Make calm, informed pricing decisions instead of emotional ones
It does not promise higher bookings or algorithm tricks.
It gives you clarity, which is far more valuable.
What’s included
1. Blank Pricing Model (Excel)
A structured, protected spreadsheet where you input your own vehicle and cost data, including:
Vehicle purchase price and expected depreciation
Loan terms and monthly interest
Insurance and fixed overhead
Maintenance, tires, and wear-and-tear
Delivery distance, fuel cost, and labor time
Platform fees and discounts
Monthly utilization assumptions
The model automatically converts these into per-day and per-trip costs, then calculates break-even pricing across different trip lengths.
2. Full Worked Example (Real Case Study)
Included is a fully completed example using a real vehicle scenario, showing:
How inputs flow through the model
How break-even pricing changes by trip length
How discounts and delivery policies impact results
This removes guesswork and helps you sanity-check your own numbers.
3. Step-by-Step Video Walkthrough
A clear YouTube tutorial walks you through:
How the system works
How to review the example
How to build your own vehicle model from scratch
How to interpret the results and use them in practice
You don’t need to be “good at Excel” to use this.
How hosts use this in practice
Most users apply the model to:
Set a minimum daily price they won’t go below
Decide whether to require longer minimum trip lengths
Re-evaluate discounts that look good but hurt margins
Understand why a “busy” car might still be losing money
Pressure-test pricing changes before updating their calendar
Many hosts discover they weren’t underbooked — they were underpricing.
Who this is for
This tool is a good fit if you:
Have 1–10 vehicles and care about sustainability
Want to understand costs, not just revenue
Are tired of guessing or copying competitors blindly
Prefer structure over hype
Want a tool you can revisit as conditions change
Who this is not for
This is not for:
Anyone looking for “algorithm hacks”
People who don’t want to look at numbers
Hosts expecting guaranteed bookings or income
Large fleet operators needing enterprise software
This is a decision-support tool, not a promise.
Why this model is different
Most pricing advice focuses on revenue potential.
This model starts with cost reality.
It answers questions like:
“Am I covering depreciation, or just cash flow?”
“Is free delivery actually costing me money?”
“How much does a short trip really cost me?”
“What’s the minimum price that keeps me whole?”
Those answers are often uncomfortable — but they’re powerful.
Important notes
Designed for one vehicle at a time (use a copy per vehicle)
Spreadsheet formulas are protected to prevent breakage
Results are illustrative and for decision-support only
Independent tool — not affiliated with any platform
Pricing
One-time purchase.
No subscriptions.
No upsells required to use the core system.
This tool often pays for itself by helping you avoid one bad pricing decision.
Disclaimer
This product is an independent tool created by an individual car-sharing host.
It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Turo Inc.
“Turo” is a registered trademark of Turo Inc. and is used solely for descriptive purposes.