Reducing Private Car Ownership by Switching to Shared Mobility

Abstract

Sharing mobility, the concept of shared vehicle use among multiple people, offers a solution to the spatial inefficiencies of private car ownership, where cars are typically parked for 23 out of 24 hours daily. This approach can significantly reduce the space occupied by private vehicles, potentially freeing up areas for parks and residential developments. Notably, one shared vehicle can replace up to 13 private cars. However, for this transition to be effective, private car owners must shift to shared mobility services.
This study investigates which aspects of shared mobility services should be supported by policy to effectively reduce private car ownership in the Netherlands. The research begins by forecasting private car ownership trends over the next 20 years to assess the severity of the issue. Following this, survey data from 200 car owners in the Netherlands' four largest cities is analyzed to understand why individuals prefer private cars over shared services, which features of shared mobility are most valued, and what improvements are needed. The targeted sample provides highly relevant insights as urban car owners are the primary demographic for addressing this problem.
Findings reveal an expected increase in the number of cars per household, particularly among single-person households, despite a significant rise in overall household numbers. The main reasons for retaining private cars include dependency concerns, hygiene issues, and worries about the practicality and costs of using shared vehicles for long trips or frequent use. The survey highlights that the most critical factors for shared mobility are the price per hour, a preference for electric vehicles, and the cost per kilometer. Walking time and additional transport modes have minimal impact on user decisions. Respondents identified the need for a larger and more diverse vehicle fleet, an expanded operating area, improved vehicle availability, and better vehicle conditions in terms of cleanliness and damage.
While there is willingness among respondents to adopt shared mobility in the distant future, enthusiasm is much lower for the near term, indicating the presence of an 'attitude-behaviour gap' in sustainable innovation among Dutch car owners. Key areas for policy support include addressing high costs for long-term or heavy use, establishing nationwide operating areas, and ensuring service level and vehicle variety guarantees to make shared mobility a dependable option for all transportation needs.