Rising prices and environmental awareness change mobility habits
Europ Assistance has announced the international results of the 1st edition of its Auto & Mobility Barometer, conducted by Ipsos. Changes in mobility have been driven primarily by two factors: environmental concerns and cost, reflecting citizens' ongoing concerns about greening and inflation.
The survey was conducted among 6,000 people in six European countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain) between November 29 and December 9, 2022.
According to Nadia Domínguez, Head of Auto Sales at Europ Assistance Spain, the results of the survey show a preference for alternatives to the personal vehicle. Today, we also move around by scooter, electric bicycle, scooter or carpool, by subway or bus.
Domínguez adds that “we live in an era in which we feel more committed to the environment and to safety. Fleets are changing and 2 out of 3 vehicles have already been replaced by low-emission vehicles. Our journeys will be increasingly flexible, economical and eco-sustainable.
In general, as in the rest of Europe, most Spaniards travel mainly on foot (94%) and in their own car (79%). Since covid and its multiple periods of confinement, Europeans have adapted their lifestyles, including their mobility habits, increasing the use of “more active” means of transport.
In Spain, the health crisis has mainly encouraged a significant increase in walking as in the rest of Europe, 32% of Spaniards and 31% of Europeans say they walk more often than before the crisis.
In contrast, there has been a decrease in the use of some means of transport that involve proximity with strangers, such as carpooling (30% of users practice it less frequently), public transport (21% in Spain) and public transport (21% in Spain);(21% in Spain and 25% in Europe, less frequently), and the use of cabs and car sharing follow the same trend (25% less than before Covid)
CHANGES IN MOBILITY
The changes in mobility have been caused mainly by two factors: environmental concerns and cost, reflecting current citizen concerns about ecologyand inflation.
Spaniards are concerned about environmental impact, above the European average. Seventy-five percent of Spaniards are concerned about the environmental footprint associated with their car use, compared to 54% in the rest of Europe.
In addition, 3 out of 4 consider that they pay attention to the impact of their driving habits and 70% of Spaniards, (compared to 64% of other Europeans), have already changed their mobility habits to be more environmentally friendly, especially in large cities.
On the other hand, 7 out of 10 have changed their mobility habits due to transportation costs. Sixty-nine percent of Spaniards and 64% of Europeans say they have had to revise their mobility habits due to inflation and fuel costs.
However, automobile usehas remained fairly stable, with the same proportion of users using it more frequently as less frequently, the remaining 69% stating that their use has not changed since the crisis.
Generally speaking, car use remains widespread in Europe: almost 9 out of 10 respondents own at least one car.
"A FUTURE WITHOUT A CAR OF YOUR OWN?
It is worth noting that Spanñoles, more than other Europeans, think about not owning a car in the future, 42% of Spanñoles (32% Europeans) consider not owning a car in the future, however, only 11% of Spanñoles (8% of Europeans) “areá seguro” de poder hacerlo.
However, when the focus is put on specific populations, differences emerge in relation to car ownership; people living in large cities are also more likely to do so, as they have access to more mobility alternatives (46% of Spanñols would be able to stop owning a car in cities).
There are also differences between countries: the French and Belgians are more reluctant to give up their cars, and there is less reluctance in Italy and Spain.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Barriers to the adoption of electric vehicles remain.
92% of current Spanish cars are still combustion-powered (89% in Europe), while hybrid cars account for 5% and electric vehicles for just 1%.
However, when contemplating future intentions, there is a more authentic interest in hybrid and electric vehicles, both new and used, and in leasing. In the next twelve months, more than a third, 35% in Spain (31% in Europe) intend to buy an electric/hybrid car. In Spain, this preference stands out among young people aged 18 to 34 with 51%, compared with 25% of those over 55.
Yet there are still strong barriers to the development of electric vehicles, the first being the cost. In a context of inflation and economic crisis, the purchase price is the first barrier mentioned by 45% of Spaniards (52% Europeans) who are not considering electric vehicles, although the cost of maintenance also appears with 16% in Spain (18% Europe).
The rest of the obstacles to the purchase of an electric vehicle are quite similar in Spain compared to other neighboring countries. Charging points also represent a major source of concern for 32% of respondents (39% of those surveyed mentioned the impossibility of installing them at home or the lack of them at work). Finally, Europeans are still not convinced about autonomy for long-distance travel (30% of mentions).
For 66% of Spaniards, adequate roadside assistance could encourage them to use or buy an electric vehicle, more than in other European countries with 6% less.
BICYCLES AND MICROMOBILITY
53% of Spaniards (63% in the rest of Europe) have at least one personal, standard or electric bicycle in their household. The use of personal bicycles in everyday life in Spain is still not as popular as in the rest of Europe, 51% compared to 61% in other countries.
Electric bicycles have already been adopted by 18% of Europeans. There are differences between countries, they are less common in Spain and Portugal (10% and 16% each), while in Belgium and Germany adoption has been more widespread (25% and 24%, respectively).
Spanish people own fewer bicycles than the rest of Europeans, but have more scooters and scooters than their neighbors.
Spain stands out in the use of scooters with 23%, 6% more than in the rest of Europe. This figure is fairly evenly divided between 18% of Spanish scooters (13% in Europe) and 15% of electric scooters (11% in Europe).
The pandemic has led to a slight increase in Spain in the use of personal vehicles, such as scooters, which have increased by 28% in Spain and Europe, and standard bicycles by 23% in Spain (25% in Europe).
In terms of safety, in Spain, almost 9 out of 10 bicycle/micromobility users wear helmets, 86%, well above the European average of 62%. However, only 3 out of 10 are fully covered by their insurance in case of a problem or accident with one of these devices.
INSURANCE
More than 4 out of 10 Spaniards might be interested in person-based insurance when it comes to mobility.
For 55% of Spaniards, price is the most important criterion when choosing their car insurance, slightly less important than for other Europeans, 59%. On the other hand, Spaniards are considerably more sensitive, 36%, than their neighbors, 23%, to the additional services offered and the assistance offered in the event of an accident or breakdown.
Roadside assistance, mobility services and the availability of a replacement vehicle in the event of a problem are the most requested services, both at the time of purchase and when choosing an insurance company.
As for additional services, personalized mobility assistance, vehicle pick-up and return and access to a network of reliable and certified workshops are services that would make the difference for at least a third of Spaniards when choosing an insurer.
In Spain (72%), interest in a vehicle pick-up and delivery service is higher than elsewhere in Europe (68%) and this service would be particularly appreciated in the case of repairs or maintenance that need to be carried out in a garage (79% in Spain, 69% in the rest of Europe). Half of Spaniards would be willing to pay more for this service (51%), but slightly less than other Europeans (48%).