A new report from Swytch has found 6.4 million Brits plan on moving away from car ownership and transition to more sustainable modes of transport in the next five years.
Previous research from Aviva found that over half of Brits (52%) say they are more sustainability-conscious after the pandemic.
The cost-of-living crisis has also made car ownership increasingly unaffordable for households across the country, alongside a clear desire amongst the population to live more environmentally friendly lives.
Swytch CEO and co-founder Oliver Montague said that while there is still progress to be made in sustainable transport infrastructure, “consumer behavioural trends certainly show that the public is starting to favour electric vehicles over internal combustion engines, indicating a dedication towards a greener future.”
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Swytch’s report unveiled that over 9 million Brits have already stopped using their cars for short journeys.
Alongside turning to public transport as an alternative, 5.9 million state they plan on engaging in more active modes of transport including cycling, using an e-bike or walking.
Another key factor contributing to the rise of active transport has been the soaring cost of fuel and fares across the public transport system.
Train fares also saw a 6% increase so as a result, almost 4 million Brits are now cycling or using an e-mode of transport to get to their job, according to Swytch’s report.
More than 265,000 battery-electric cars were registered in the UK in 2022 – a growth of 40% on 2021 – however, despite this growth, for many this still represents an unaffordable option.
Contrastingly, the e-bike industry is witnessing exponential growth – The Light Electric Vehicle Association predicted that more than 1 million e-bikes were sold last year, with the global e-bike market projected to reach £100 Billion by 2030.
