KfW-Research

Germans see the need for a 'mobility transition' - majority in favour of a speed limit on autobahns

Frankfurt am Main (ots) -

- Representative survey: respondents agree change is necessary
- High willingness to change personal behaviour also confirmed
- One in three respondents has already changed their mobility
behaviour
- Scepticism towards e-mobility still widespread

In the face of increasingly congested roads, air contaminant
concentrations above permitted levels in many cities, and high
greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, few people question
the need for a 'mobility transition'. This is the result of a
representative survey conducted by KfW Research. Eighty-one per cent
of Germans between the age of 18 and 67 see the need to change
attitudes and behaviours in the interests of the climate, for example
by developing viable, climate-friendly means of transport, improving
public transport systems, and making a conscious decision to use cars
less often.

Respondents see the primary responsibility resting with the
automotive industry (89%) and call on policymakers to improve the
conditions for change (77%). But they are also very much willing to
modify their own behaviours as users of transport (71%). There is
even a majority for a speed limit on autobahns, a highly
controversial topic, with nearly 60% in favour. But not all groups of
the population agreed to the same extent. More women favour a speed
limit than men (70% vs. 50%). Age plays a role as well, with men
below the age of 30 the least in favour (35%).

'The importance of a mobility transition has found its way into
the mainstream of society. Most people recognise that it is not just
up to car manufacturers and politicians, but that they, too, can do
something to protect the climate through their mobility choices',
said Dr Jörg Zeuner, Chief Economist of KfW Group. 'These findings
are encouraging because Germany will not be able to achieve its
climate targets without a trend reversal in the mobility sector.' He
added that while greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector in
Germany decreased by around 25% between 1990 and 2015, in the
transport sector they are still on the level of 1990. 'Germany still
has every opportunity to play a decisive role in shaping the future
and remain one of the most important locations of the automotive
industry', added Dr Jörg Zeuner.

The KfW survey also revealed that one in three respondents (36%)
have already changed their mobility behaviour and were driving their
cars less and using more buses, trains or bicycles. Accordingly,
developing mass public transport systems met with the highest
approval rate of all policy measures (91%), closely followed by
expanding walkways and bicycle lanes (86% and 85%). By contrast,
Germans are critical of measures aimed at limiting traffic through
toll systems. Two thirds of respondents each reject the introduction
of a general toll for passenger vehicles and city toll schemes.

There is widespread scepticism over the possibility of improving
the climate footprint of the transport sector by converting vehicles
to electrical drive technology. Only one in two respondents believes
that electric cars will dominate the roads in 20 years. This is
surprising because more and more countries want to declare the end of
the pure combustion engine. A quota for electric cars will be in
effect in China from 2019 while some European countries such as
Norway, France and the UK are even aiming to set a specific date for
ending the licensing of petrol and diesel engines. Even so, the KfW
survey revealed that 40% of Germans are at least considering the
purchase of an electric car. Most respondents cite the patchy network
of charging points (84%), insufficient range (81%) and high price
(79%) as the main reasons for their negative attitude to electric
cars. The development of a charging infrastructure and its smart
integration into the power grid should therefore be pursued with
vigour in order to improve the acceptance of electric cars.

The results of the KfW survey on the 'mobility transition' can be
retrieved on our German website at:
www.kfw.de/KfW-Konzern/KfW-Research/Verkehr

Details about the database:

KfW's analysis of the topic of 'mobility transition' was based on
a survey of around 2,400 working-age persons using computer-assisted
telephone interviews. The random sample and results are
representative of the 18 to 64-year-old population residing in
Germany. A detailed documentation of the database is contained in the
Appendix of Tables and Methods to the KfW Start-up Monitor 2017, in
which the survey was framed (http://ots.de/E8EzN).

Originaltext: KfW
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