Young people who increasingly turn their backs on the car: a misconception according to the latest edition of the Cetelem Automobile Observatory* published this Tuesday, October 8.
“As soon as they have the legal possibility, they want to get behind the wheel with obvious pleasure, taking into account more or less serious financial limitations,” notes this study that analyzes 14 countries (France, Germany, Belgium, China, Spain, the United States , Italy, Japan, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom and Turkey).
First step before having your own car: get your driving license. 85% take it before the age of 25 in the countries studied (91% in France), and more than 56% of Americans take it before the age of 18. In contrast, 4 out of 10 Chinese obtain their license after 25 years.
A first purchase not necessarily second-hand…
An average age of obtaining a license that logically also determines the age of the first purchase. 7 in 10 Americans commit the act between the ages of 16 and 20 and 1 in two people in France, Italy and Germany during this same period of life.
A first second-hand purchase in France for 68% of those surveyed, a figure higher than the European average of 59%. But in many countries such as Spain, Italy or Türkiye, the majority of drivers under 30 start with a new car. In China, with a very underdeveloped second-hand market, this rate even reaches 92%.
…and not necessarily electric
Cost remains one of the main obstacles when purchasing for 6 out of 10 people who have a driving license under 30 years of age, but do not yet have a car. “A limitation that is felt especially in the United States, Türkiye and Portugal, while in Japan it has little weight,” the study points out.
There are more “seniors” (those over 50 years old in this study) who say they do not need a car to explain the fact of not having one, with 40%, far ahead of people between 30 and 49 years old (30% ) and minors. 30 (27%).
The fact of not liking driving is more evident among those over 50 years of age, with 10% explaining that they do not have a car for this reason, compared to only 4% of those under 30 years of age.
Whether new or used, young people do not necessarily lean towards electric when choosing their car, an engine that is second only to gasoline. But in front of the Diesel.
Surprisingly, it is not price that is cited as the first obstacle to going electric, but potential charging difficulties. The lack of autonomy on a single charge occupies third position, after this price criterion.
The future continues to be in electricity, and 6 out of 10 young people see that it will end up replacing thermal energy.
A car always essential
An interesting point highlighted in this study: those who plan to stop owning a car, however, do not intend to do without it permanently. 55% of those under 30 mention car sharing as an alternative, ahead of short-term car rental for occasional needs and car sharing (also for occasional needs or through a subscription contract).
As an alternative to the car for daily trips, young drivers prefer public transport (52%) than older drivers, and those over 50 cite walking first (64%). Finally, 33% of those under 30 years of age cite the bicycle, mechanical or with electrical assistance.
*Harris Interactive quantitative consumer survey from June 25 to July 9, 2024 in 14 countries: Belgium, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom and Turkey. In total, 16,000 people were interviewed online (CAWI collection method). These people aged 18 to 65 come from representative national samples of each country. The representativeness of the sample is guaranteed through the quota method (sex, age). 3,000 interviews were carried out in France and 1,000 in each of the other countries.
Source: BFM TV
