Two thirds of Germans want mobility transition, one third willing to give up car – survey

Almost 70 percent of Germans say that the climate crisis means a "fundamental rethink is needed in the area of mobility," shows a survey by Germany’s leading technical inspection and certification service provider TÜV. Two thirds also say it is important that the state provides support for emission-free mobility options. One third of car owners in the survey said they could imagine giving up their car for an alternative solution (40% in big cities). Among the hurdles to using more public transport and other climate-friendly modes of transport are unreliable or non-existent local public transport (54%); that "many activities are too difficult without your own car" (51%); and the joy of driving your own car (34%). Respondents overall support climate measures in the sector like expanding public transport (90%), reducing prices for tickets (88%) and expanding bicycle infrastructure. However, most respondents oppose measures like introducing inner-city tolls (56%) or higher parking fees in public spaces (54%).

Germany's mobility sector is often branded the “problem child” of climate policy, as transport emissions have remained almost unchanged since the 1990s. Projections for future emissions published by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in March showed that transport will not meet its 2030 emission reduction targets. An alliance of environmental NGOs, a motorists’ club, trade unions and various labour unions and associations have recently called on Germany's finance minister Christian Lindner to slash funding for climate-damaging subsidies and new road construction, and use the money instead to secure sustainable investments in the transport sector's decarbonisation.