The federal government advocates traveling by bus and train. However, a counter-movement seems to be taking place among the population: the car is even gaining in popularity, especially among the younger generation.
Despite all the environmental debates, according to a new survey, the car remains the most popular means of transport for the vast majority of the German population. The car has even gained in popularity, especially among younger people, in the past year. This was determined by the Yougov survey institute in a representative survey of 4042 citizens published on Tuesday, the client was HUK Coburg.
Car meets mobility requirements
The car insurance provider has been publishing an annual mobility study since 2021. The participants were surveyed in January and February. This year, 72 percent said the car would best meet their mobility needs in the future – five percentage points more than a year ago. Among the very young participants aged 16 to 24 it was even 74 percent, eleven percentage points more than a year ago. Questions were asked about cars of all drive types, including electric cars and other alternative engines.
Buses and trains are still significantly less popular than bicycles and walking: 23 percent said “walk”, 19 percent named the bicycle, 15 percent the train, 11 percent the bus, 10 percent tram and S-Bahn. This roughly corresponds to the results of previous years, but compared to the first survey in Corona year 2021, cycling and walking have lost much of their popularity again.
cost is a concern
The greatest concern of many respondents is that transport of any kind will become more expensive – 38 percent named “rising costs for mobility”. A third is also suspicious of the political commitment to electric cars, they complained about a one-sided focus on battery-powered electric drives compared to hydrogen engines or so-called e-fuels. A fifth saw “too strong public paternalism”, but also a fifth that environmental protection was neglected.
HUK Coburg, as the client, linked the survey with a political message: “These results are a clear mandate for politicians to examine alternative drive options more than before,” said board member Jörg Rheinländer.
Almost two thirds of those surveyed believe that transport planning and policy will have to change in view of the sharp rise in energy prices: 63 percent supported the statement that the previous mobility concepts had to be changed. Yougov did not ask what kind of changes should or should be.
Source: Stern
