How the Pandemic Impacted Global Mobility Behaviors

LeasePlan released its latest Mobility Insights report which assessed the impact of COVID-19 on mobility habits around the world.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, respondents across 22 countries observed for the study have become much less likely to use public transportation (65%), and more likely to use their own private car (76%), the survey found. Also, most respondents (79%) say the pandemic has made them more aware of the safety and comfort of having their own vehicle.

Many respondents surveyed (47%) said they are worried about increased congestion and pollution from delivery vehicles post-COVID, LeasePlan found in the survey. A vast majority (61%) of delivery drivers are willing to coordinate with other businesses to reduce congestion, as well as switch to zero-emission electric LCVs (75%) to reduce pollution.

Meanwhile, more than half of respondents (53%) say they take climate change more seriously as a global threat since the beginning of the pandemic. For many (47%), this increased awareness has made them much more likely to switch to a zero-emission electric vehicle.

“This report is a wake-up call for the industry: shared mobility and public transport is out, and safe and clean private transport is in. At the same time, drivers are more eco-conscious than ever, with nearly half ready to go electric and preserve the cleaner air we all experienced at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Tex Gunning, CEO of LeasePlan. “Policymakers in every one of the 22 countries surveyed need to listen up and respond to this demand by investing in long-term EVs incentives and charging infrastructure. Everyone should have the ability to go electric and play their part in making 2021 the greenest year ever for road transportation.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, respondents are more likely to use online shopping and opt for home delivery for discretionary spending (47%), bolstering demand for light commercial vehicles (LCV) and electric LCV (eLCV) delivery vehicles.

“LCVs have never been more important: any retail company that wants to be successful in the New Normal will require a fleet of LCVs to meet the booming demand for online shopping and last-mile delivery,” said Mark Lovett, head of commercial vehicles for LeasePlan. “But this demand has to be met responsibly, and concerns about congestion and pollution from delivery vehicles need to be addressed. The good news is that OEMs are making more electric delivery vehicles than ever before, so in 2021 there’s no excuse not to swap the white van for a green van and make each and every delivery zero-emission.”

LeasePlan developed the report with global research firm Ipsos, which surveyed over 5,000 drivers in 22 countries.