Turnaround in transportation policy: Germans still prefer cars
Study shows that the car is not losing its position as the favourite means of transport. The purchase of an electric car is conceivable, but rail and public transport are still lacking in attractiveness.
The specifications of the ideal traffic turnaround of the traffic light government are clear: more electric cars, expansion of bus and rail and priority for cycling in cities. However, a mobility study by the TÜV shows that not all Germans are willing to go along with this. Most are reluctant to change their habits.
One in four Germans could imagine buying an electric car next. But more than half of the respondents stick with the familiar - yet polluting - combustion car. "Despite the current boom in sales of electric vehicles, there are still many reservations about electromobility among the population," says Dr Joachim Bühler, Managing Director of the TÜV Association.
According to the survey, there are various factors that speak against the purchase of an electric vehicle. In first place was the low range (49%), followed by high purchase costs (46%) and the inadequate charging infrastructure (44%). In addition, 42% of the respondents expressed doubts about the actual environmental friendliness of e-vehicles. Although experts have not yet been able to agree on this topic, they are certainly a cleaner option for transporting people and goods compared to petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. It is true that they could make a real difference to the environment, but only if all phases requiring electricity are enabled by renewable energy sources, not fossil fuels. TÜV believes that the current high sales figures could prove to be a short-lived trend if not followed by a more targeted e-offensive consisting of infrastructure improvements, acceptable sales prices and awareness campaigns.
However, the citizens surveyed by TÜV are not only in favour of better conditions for e-cars, but also of changes, expansion and optimisation of other types of mobility. 80% of those surveyed call for accelerated further development of local public transport and 82% would even like to see free public transport. The expansion and improvement of the infrastructure for bicycles is also well regarded by 70% of the survey participants, as is financial support for the purchase of cargo bikes and e-bikes (49%).
On the other hand, the discussion about the potential introduction of a 130 km/h speed limit on German motorways remains controversial. Although the majority of the 1000 over 16-year-old respondents are in favour (56%), the results change when only car drivers are asked. However, 49% of the respondents could already imagine a tightening of the exhaust emission limits. Instead, city tolls and zero-emission zones are rejected by more than the majority (55%).
The study also illustrates how Germany's citizens set their priorities when it comes to transport.
When it comes to their own mobility, flexibility, speed and reliability are in the top three places. These are followed by the factors safety, cost, movement and comfort. Not surprisingly, environmental protection comes last. It is precisely for these reasons that "individual transport by car, bicycle or motorbike" is still gaining in importance, explains Bühler. Instead, buses and trains are rarely considered the Germans' first choice.
It will not be easy to convince the majority of the population to join the efforts for greener mobility. Private car travel is still too important to Germans.