While personal cars remain central in usage (86% of Europeans own at least one car), those cars are relying more and more on electric and other alternative powertrains (13% in 2025 vs 10% in 2023), with hybrid and electric models even progressing in specific countries.
Besides EV, there is a rise in usage of soft mobility solutions (such as electric bikes, public transport or shared services) underlying a gradual transition towards more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives: 60% of Europeans say they have already changed their daily mobility habits towards greener alternatives.
While the use of personal cars remains central, the 2025 Mobility Barometer highlights a shift in car purchase intentions.
Alternative means of transportation are progressing towards more sustainable mobility
While one in four Europeans is still considering purchasing an electric vehicle, interest has slightly declined compared to last year, particularly in France and Portugal. This signals the need for stronger incentives and infrastructure improvements to support the transition to electric mobility.
A significant shift is emerging in the mindsets regarding car ownership: in 2025 one in three European car owners is open to giving up their personal vehicle in the future, a trend particularly strong in Spain (45%, + 6 pts vs 2024), Italy (37%) and Switzerland (38%). In 2024 it was 30%: this trend is consolidating at a European level. This highlights the growing role of shared and hybrid mobility, as well as public transport, as viable alternatives to car ownership.
The study highlights a growing trend of combining multiple transport modes based on needs and constraints:
The survey was conducted by Ipsos, a global market research firm, among 9,000 people across 9 countries in Europe: Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Austria, Czech Republic and Switzerland. It tracks Europeans’ mobility habits. The survey was taken between December 17th, 2024 – January 13th, 2025.
The evolutions (+x pts/-x pts) presented with the 2024 results are based only on the same 8 countries tested in 2024 and 2025. The 2025 results presented for Europe are based on the 9 countries tested in 2025.