Have No Car, Will Travel: Gen Z Consumers Upend Mobility Market

Younger drivers in Europe have distinct mobility preferences, opting more often than older generations for public transit and shared mobility modes over private vehicles, according to a survey by senior partner Max Flötotto and colleagues at McKinsey & Co. Europe’s Gen Z consumers also indicate they plan to use sustainable mobility modes, such as car sharing, more frequently.

Changing the rules of the mobility game

Like many generations before it, Gen Z doesn’t always follow the rules. For young drivers who still require a private vehicle, the types of cars they want to own, as well as how they want to own or access them, are fundamentally different from the preferences of their ancestors.

As part of its regular McKinsey Mobility Consumer Pulse Survey, the consulting firm asked more than 4,000 customers in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom how they see the future of mobility. The survey found that using multiple transportation modes is becoming more popular, from the rise of ride hailing and car sharing to scooter rentals. An important part of this investigation also involved understanding Gen Z’s preferred modes of transportation.

Reframing private car ownership

One notable insight from the study was that, while private-car usage dominates today’s overall mobility mix for older generations, mobility is more multimodal among young people. Public transit and micromobility usage are more popular with younger consumers, who are more flexible and often opt for shared and sustainable mobility modes. Looking ahead, consumers say they are moving toward reducing their private-car reliance and adding more shared-mobility alternatives into the mix. The effect appears most pronounced for micromobility offerings and public transit.

One small electric car, please

Nearly 55% of Gen Z consumers are open to sharing their private vehicles with others. Gen Zers also know the type of car they want. How they want to use their vehicle is distinct from other age groups, as well. Their preferences are:

Another key insight revealed clear distinctions between Gen Z and other groups, particularly when it comes to purchasing considerations: