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TÜV Survey: Majority Wants a Rethink in Mobility - But Not Against the Car

(dpa/jr) Too many traffic jams, too many traffic fatalities, too much climate damage: A majority of consumers believe that a rethinking of mobility is necessary and that the distribution of road space is unfair. However, they reject concrete measures aimed at reducing car traffic. And: E-mobility is viewed skeptically in terms of environment and safety. TÜV: Electrification is just one component. Put road traffic law reform back on the agenda.

Wash my fur, but don't make me wet: According to this principle, many Germans believe a rethinking is necessary, but do not want to give up their car. | Photo: dpa/Michael Kappeler
Wash my fur, but don't make me wet: According to this principle, many Germans believe a rethinking is necessary, but do not want to give up their car. | Photo: dpa/Michael Kappeler
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When it comes to mobility, according to a new survey, the majority (64 percent) believe a rethinking is necessary - but only a few (33 percent) would give up their own car for this purpose. Meanwhile, people are increasingly aware of the disadvantages of the current situation in road traffic, as revealed by the survey conducted by the Tüv Association, which was presented on Tuesday. According to the study's results, a good two out of three German citizens believe that a fundamental change in mobility is necessary due to climate impact (69 percent). Respondents desire an expansion of public transportation (90 percent), better infrastructure for bicycle traffic (88 percent), or traffic-calmed neighborhoods. Around three-quarters of the respondents stated that the level of aggression in road traffic has increased somewhat or even significantly over the past five years. Nearly 60 percent consider the distribution of road space to be unfair and see cyclists (51 percent) and pedestrians (41 percent) as particularly disadvantaged. 17 percent also consider drivers to be disadvantaged when it comes to traffic infrastructure.

"Redesigning the traffic space is the core task for sustainable and safe mobility," said Michael Fübi, president of the TÜV Association, as he presented the study results. "Mobility is especially fair when different road users can reach their destinations equally safely and quickly."

In road traffic, cyclists (88 percent) and e-scooter riders (87 percent) are perceived to be particularly or very endangered by the respondents. Motorized two-wheeler riders (82 percent) and pedestrians (77 percent) are also exposed to significant dangers. 40 percent consider drivers to be "somewhat endangered" and only 7 percent to be "very endangered."

"We need an infrastructure that strengthens public transportation and two-wheeled traffic and takes weaker road users seriously," Fübi advocates.

Alternative transportation concepts like those in Paris, Copenhagen, or Barcelona, which focus on eco-friendly modes of transport such as bicycles or public transport, can also be envisioned by most respondents for German metropolises. They also wish for better developed public transportation. However, respondents often reject concrete measures that could move in such a direction in majority.

"Cities like Paris, Barcelona, or Copenhagen show the direction in which urban mobility can develop," said Fübi.

Concepts like the 15-minute city (72 percent) or a city planning strongly focused on bicycle traffic (72 percent) find many supporters in the survey. A clear majority also supports measures such as the abolition of the company car privilege (62 percent), increased promotion of e-mobility (61 percent), or a speed limit of 130 km/h on highways (61 percent). However, measures that would displace car traffic or make it so expensive that hardly anyone can afford to drive into the city do not find majorities. These include the establishment of environmental zones where no combustion engines are allowed (52 percent rejection), additional paid public parking zones (54 percent rejection), or the introduction of a city toll in major cities, which is opposed by 56 percent. Only on the question of introducing a 30 km/h speed limit in cities do supporters and opponents roughly balance each other out.

Car remains clearly the number 1

The car remains the number one means of transportation. On a typical weekday, a good two out of three respondents (68 percent) use a car – similar to two and four years ago. Slightly less than half go on foot (43 percent). Almost one in three travels by bicycle on weekdays (32 percent) and/or uses public transportation (30 percent), with at least one in ten using regional trains (10 percent). E-scooters have established themselves at a low level (3 percent). Among participants who own a car, only just under a third can imagine switching to other means of transportation.

"In big cities, the e-scooter fleets of sharing providers are very present. Outside the cities, e-scooters are mainly used by private owners to get to the nearest train station or bus stop," Fübi emphasized.

Especially younger people aged 25 to 34 use e-scooters (8 percent). The dominance of the car is also reflected in the ownership of various means of transportation. Four out of five respondents (80 percent) state that they own a car, 58 percent own a conventional bicycle and 20 percent own an electric bike. 7 percent own a motorcycle and 5 percent a motor scooter or moped. 5 percent own an e-scooter and 2 percent a cargo bike.

Skepticism regarding e-mobility

According to the survey, there is also skepticism about the topic of electromobility. A slim majority considers it unlikely or very unlikely that their next car will have a battery drive. Their share has not changed compared to the same survey two years earlier. The main reasons for the reluctance are cited as the high acquisition costs and concerns about insufficient range. The TÜV also asked participants about the planned phase-out of combustion engines in the EU. From 2035, no new cars fueled with fossil diesel or gasoline will be allowed to be registered within the European Union. According to the survey, 55 percent of respondents reject this measure.

Doubts sown about environmental friendliness

Many also doubt whether e-cars are really more environmentally friendly, even though the German Federal Environment Agency has recently determined a clear environmental advantage for e-cars across the entire production and usage chain. Another new hurdle has emerged: Almost one in five (18 percent) has fundamental concerns about the safety of the vehicles (2022: 11 percent). While almost half of the respondents consider e-cars to be as safe as vehicles with combustion engines and one in ten even considers them to be safer, a high proportion of 40 percent has less confidence in the safety of e-cars. In this group, many fear that there could be problems with the battery (80 percent) and that there is a higher risk of fire in accidents involving e-cars (68 percent).

Fübi: "From a technical perspective, e-cars are no more or less dangerous than vehicles with combustion engines. The same applies to the risk of fire."

Pay Attention to Battery Health

 

According to the TÜV association, it is necessary to keep an eye on battery health – the so-called State of Health. It provides information about the condition and performance of the battery. This is important for safety but also a crucial criterion when reselling. 62 percent of respondents would trust an independent testing organization such as TÜV to accurately assess the performance of the high-voltage battery. 22 percent would trust the manufacturer.

“Electromobility is not easy in Germany: Besides the high acquisition costs, range anxiety and environmental and safety concerns are still widespread,” said Fübi. Electric cars are at least as safe as combustion engines, their climate benefits are scientifically proven, and the ranges are steadily increasing. “Electric cars are the only type of propulsion that enables largely emission-free mobility,” said Fübi. “Therefore, we should consistently continue on this path and expand the charging infrastructure. Especially in cities, public charging points are still scarce.”

Regulation Must Keep Pace with the Digitization of Mobility

From the perspective of the TÜV association, electrification can only be one component of modern mobility. An expansion of public transport, more paths and parking spaces for two-wheelers, and additional measures for the safety of weaker road users are necessary.

“We advocate putting the reform of traffic laws, which failed in the Bundesrat in November, back on the agenda,” said Fübi.

Municipalities need more decision-making freedom in designing local traffic. In addition, regulation must keep pace with the digitization of vehicle technology. For example, the effectiveness of assistance systems should be better tested during the main inspection in the future. There is a lack of legal foundations for this. Software updates from manufacturers must be designed so that they do not compromise vehicle safety. Testing organizations need access to the safety-relevant data of a vehicle for their inspections. Last but not least, the TÜV association advocates expanding traffic education for children and young people.

“Our traffic system is becoming more and more complex, the failure rates in driving tests are rising, and the legalization of cannabis brings a new challenge,” said Fübi. “Schools need a new mandate here and parents more support.”

The Ipsos Institute surveyed around 2,500 people on behalf of the TÜV association between March 14 and April 3 of this year. The exact wording of the questions and possible answers can be found in the study report. 

Translated automatically from German.
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