Mobility media releases 2024

05.03.2024 – More and more young people are discovering car sharing

A recent survey has shown that car ownership in Switzerland is falling dramatically, whilst the use of shared mobility services is on the rise. Mobility’s own figures point to a corresponding generational shift, with the number of users under the age of 28 having doubled over the last three years. 

Mobility’s customers are getting younger. The number of Mobility users has soared to more than a quarter of a million over the last few years. One age group in particular – the under 28s – has grown disproportionately in that time, doubling in size since 2020. Young car sharers have never been more visible. 

Is the number of car-free households set to double?
The fact that young people are increasingly opting for car sharing tallies with the findings of recent studies. A survey conducted by consulting firm Deloitte, the results of which were published in January 2024, found that the number of car-free households in Switzerland could double over the next decade, and expects the demand for on-demand and shared mobility services to grow massively in that period. A quarter of all participants in the Deloitte survey reported that they are already subscribed to a shared mobility service, increasing to 30% in the 34 or younger age group. These findings also tally with the results of the representative study on mobility conducted by Sotomo a few months prior, which concluded that “car ownership is less important to young people in urban environments.” Sotomo’s research also found that this younger demographic is particularly interested in car sharing, as “younger drivers have grown up with these types of offers, unlike older generations.”

Young people are opting for e-cars
Younger Mobility users behave similarly to the rest of the cooperative’s customers for the most part. One thing that does set them apart, however, is that younger users generally only spend four hours on the road per journey, which is slightly less than the average journey length. They also favour Mobility’s Economy category, which they choose in practically every other reservation, and opt for e-cars more often than other age groups.

Under 28s drive on the best terms
The Mobility Cooperative is aiming to convince young people of the benefits of car sharing even before they buy their vehicle. This is why drivers under the age of 28 can make the most of our mobilityYOUNG offer, with no monthly subscription costs once the user pays a one-off registration fee, so they can drive on the best terms. This offer has been a roaring success since it was introduced at the end of 2022, as shown by the ever-growing number of users.

PRESS KIT
Download free image and video material: www.mobility.ch/en/mediacenter

CONTACT MOBILITY
Stefan Roschi, Communication & Media Officer
Tel. 041 248 21 57, presse(at)mobility.ch

Download press release as PDF
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30.01.2024 – Mobility expands its electric fleet – and calls for an improved regulatory framework

An ever-increasing share of Mobility cars are now electrically powered – in spite of the numerous regulatory and organisational challenges this involves. Now the cooperative is rolling out its 500th e-vehicle, and just this once has deliberately opted for a change from red.

Car sharing pioneer Mobility now celebrates a symbolic milestone on the way to electrifying its fleet: it has just placed its 500th electric car at the Akara Tower in Baden. "We see this as another landmark along the way to electrifying our range of vehicles," says Thomas Schmid, Head of Market. “Mobility is facing major challenges in this transformation process and, together with our station partners, we welcome every additional electric car we can make available to users.” 

For once, the VW ID.3 in question – available in Mobility’s Economy category – doesn't sport Mobility’s hallmark red finish, but instead features a special vinyl wrap designed by the artists’ collective REAL Crew to showcase the theme of electrification. The idea is to add a splash of colour to Swiss roads while at the same time making a statement about the mobility transition.

Far above the Swiss average
Mobility is on course to switching its entire fleet to electric power by 2030. This means it is an active contributor to modern, sustainable mobility – especially given that, even using fossil-based fuels, car sharing reduces CO2 emissions in addition to saving space and resources. Around 17% of Mobility’s 3'000 vehicles now run on electric power. For comparison: in 2023, only 3.3% of cars on Switzerland’s roads were purely electric.

Annual e-kilometres have increased tenfold 
Initial scepticism surrounding electric propulsion seems to have receded, at least when it comes to car sharing: Mobility customers have now covered a total of 13.5 million kilometres in electric vehicles – roughly 35 times the distance to the moon. The indication here is that increasing availability of electric cars results in more widespread use. The number of e-kilometres covered each year has increased tenfold in the past five years. It’s also interesting to note that e-cars tend to appeal more to male users than to women on average, though this difference becomes less marked, the younger the user group.

Electrification – a political issue 
E-car sharing is an important means of future-proofing the viability of mobility in Switzerland – ecologically, socially and economically. But a political and regulatory framework is required that actively promotes this development. For example, as a tenant of the 3'000 or so parking spaces where its vehicles are stationed, Mobility is dependent on the goodwill of its landlords when it comes to electrification – a “right to charge” throughout Switzerland, as exists in Germany, would have a positive impact on the transition. It’s also important for Mobility to have remote control of third-party charge points, with free access to the data. This is the only way the fleet operator can ensure intelligent charging and capacity management. 

“Switzerland still has a lot of catching up to do here,” says Krispin Romang of the electromobility association Swiss eMobility. “There’s been no subsidising of the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles at federal level to date, and no moves have been made to introduce the “right to charge”. In view of this, Mobility’s pace of transition to electric is more than impressive.”

PRESS KIT
Download free image and video material: www.mobility.ch/en/mediacenter

CONTACT MOBILITY
Stefan Roschi, Communication & Media Officer
Tel. 041 248 21 57, presse(at)mobility.ch

Download press release as PDF
pdf

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