Posted on 03/11/2024 2:30:30 AM PDT by Olog-hai
One in every five car owners are planning to get rid of their car over the coming years, new research has found.
The rising cost of running a car is among the big drivers, the survey discovered, with almost two thirds citing this as an influence on their decision.
However, just over three quarters said that grocery shopping remains the biggest barrier to them doing away with their wheels.
A little over a third claimed they use their car every day to get to and from work.
Overall, a fifth of car users said they would prefer to use their car less, but 70% said they would be more likely to get rid of their car if public transport was better.
The research was carried out among a national representative sample of 1,201 adults in Ireland by Amárach Research, on behalf of car sharing company GoCar.
Among those who said they would like to give up their vehicle, 41% said they would like to cycle or walk more, while a little over a third said they would like to reduce their carbon footprint. The study also revealed that 21% of respondents have two or more cars, with 28% of those having children. Around half said they need an additional car for transporting family, while more than a third need it for work purposes.
“We have the potential to remove nearly 1,000,000 cars from Irish roads,” said Paul McNeice, Head of Country for Europcar Mobility Group. “The GoCar Index identifies the over reliance on private cars in Ireland, but we all know this comes at a price — the cost of running a car, the environmental impact, as well as increasing congestion. The NTA recently highlighted that simple changes such as walking and cycling could take 680,000 cars off the road every day.”
But the survey also revealed a degree of hesitancy about letting a car go, with more than half citing it as needed for getting to work and one in ten saying others rely on them.
16% said they do feel guilty about the environmental impacts of car ownership and a fifth said they would like to use their car less but are not familiar with the alternatives.
Only around a quarter knew about car-sharing services available here.
I work on my cars daily.. cleaning mostly, but I do most of the mechanical, it’s a hobby. Just sold a 2008 F250for $23k, I bought new 16 years ago for $32k. Bought a 2016 jeep JK 4dr, my next project for a lift kit and customization. 75 Vette is my favorite and a lot of fun, plus the Harley Street Glide, Triton Bass boat and a side by side. Sold the John Deere bucket loader last year... Wish I’d kept it.
I’m pushing 70 but I enjoy them all except the wife’s 2024 Volvo, it’s a POS engineering nightmare run by a Google infotainment system.
Took my end oldest grandson out in the 75 Vette last summer for a man’s day out... He was 11 at the time. On the way home after a trip to a classic car museum, lunch and just a drive in the mountains he asked me “When you die can I have this?”. Gotta love the honesty!!!
Waiting for public transport in the cold pouring down rain.
Thinking about ditching the car, but that is all, just thinking.
Unfortunately you have be honest with yourself that the grandson wont care for the vette as you have done.
If I had to give up my car, I would probably get around in a velomobile instead. I am not going to wait for a bus.
The real goal of the “green revolution”.
The more leftist states in this country are somewhat restrained by the litigious nature of this country and competition from more conservative states. If, say, New York were to impose a dollar a gallon tax on fuel for environmental reasons, people and businesses would find an exit, even if only to New Jersey or Pennsylvania.
Of that 20%, once they try public transport for a month all but 1% will decide to keep their cars.
Ireland.
I don’t think one in five in the US computes.
Maybe one of the five I own.
We have two cars, but since retiring don’t use them much. Mostly shopping for groceries, and medical appointments. Some months when our Exxon bill comes we have $0.00 balance. We’re rural, so do need them. Public transportation isn’t a thing in our neck of the woods.
When public transit was available, I loved it. Even standing at the bus stop in Anchorage with the fur around my parka hood getting ice crystals from my breath. If it were available here I’d use it in a heartbeat. (Still wouldn’t get rid of a car, though. It’s necessary sometimes.)
I fool with my Willys jeep when I can and when I can afford parts which isn’t that often.
Other times things are on hold because of powder coating or getting supplies or some oddball tool I don’t have.
My big killers are transmission and body tub. Someday I guess.
I am no transmission guy but there are remans with warranty out there.
As much as I dread the MD Juan poorly made aftermarket tub, I don’t have much of a choice. My original is so rusty.
Look into street smart transmissions.. 5 Year, Unlimited Miles Nationwide & Transferable Parts & Labor* Warranty
https://streetsmarttransmission.com/remanufactured-transmission-warranty/
The 2016 Jeep JK is the 4th jeep I’ve owned. Not a fan of the 3.6L and miss the old 258 straight 6. This one needs a new torque converter already and only 54k miles on it. I’ll let others do that because the shoulders aren’t what they used to be !!
True.. but I also told him: “What makes you think I’ll still have this when I die?” Then again when I’m dead I’ll never know !
A coworker gave his not-too-old Toyota Tacoma to his son when he graduated HS. In short order the engine was blown and replaced. Then it was totaled in a rollover. Yeauh. “You want a car? Whaa? You got a bike for your 12th birthday. Gotta earn ‘em after that”
With the growing Muslim population I don’t think that public transport is safe option, especially for women.
The public transportation system here requires you to schedule a pickup in advance.
Population of Ireland = 5 million
Population of Greater Dublin = 2 million.
Dublin’s traffic jams are horrendous, but the public transport is good, not really “waiting in the rain”
It’s like NYC - owning a car and getting through traffic jams to not find parking is stressful. Better public transport IN the city and also rent-by-the-hour cars are better.
Outside Dublin - say in cork etc. then a car is necessary
I have four cars but I work on them as little as possible. I did build a nice 30x40 shop so that I can work on them as well as work on furniture projects. But the work on cars I no longer do as a fun hobby. I do it cuz it has to be done. That’s why three of my cars are toyotas. 🤣
The 4th is a 2004 Chevy Z71 silverado. That one requires more work than the other four combined, but I need it to work the acreage.
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