Cars are so unpopular among Gen Z, why is that?

Especially in Western countries, more and more young people are deliberately choosing not to get a driver’s license, preferring other means of transportation, or they get it at a later age compared to the past. More generally, there seems to be less interest in cars among the younger generations. The United States is a good point of reference to evaluate this phenomenon, given the high number of four-wheeled vehicles in circulation. In 1997, 43 percent of 16-year-old Americans had a driver’s license, but this percentage has steadily declined to 25 percent by 2020. Additionally, it is estimated that in the 1980s, one in 12 Americans aged 20 to 24 did not have a driver’s license, whereas today it’s one in five. Even in Europe, a decline in interest in cars among younger people has been observed, especially since the 1990s, also thanks to more accessible and affordable alternatives like public transportation or sharing services. In the United Kingdom, for example, over the last 20 years, the percentage of teenagers with a driver’s license has dropped from 41 to 21 percent.

This trend does not have a clear and uniform explanation, especially because it involves very different countries – with habits, lifestyles, and economic conditions that are hardly comparable. As noted by the Economist, the reasons behind the disinterest in cars are varied, ranging from socio-economic to environmental, and even cultural factors. First of all, owning a car entails significant fixed costs. The lack of wages adequate to the cost of living, especially in large cities, and widespread job insecurity have dissuaded many young people from purchasing a car. Economic reasons are further compounded by environmental concerns, related to the issue of climate change. Traffic is one of the main causes of greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for global warming and the ongoing climate crisis. Moreover, particularly in metropolitan areas, four-wheeled vehicles do not enjoy a great reputation: a growing part of the population considers them an obstacle to the development of alternative mobility solutions. Another explanation involves the increased availability of home-delivered goods and the evolution of home entertainment. These dynamics have made certain trips less necessary, especially for those living in large cities: for instance, the distance traveled on average by licensed teenagers in the United States between 1990 and 2017 decreased by 35 percentage points. Finally, app-based services have encouraged car rentals and the presence of chauffeur-driven vehicles.

Cars, yes or no

However, the declining interest in cars comes at a time when there are more cars on the road than ever before, especially in Europe – where there are about 250 million. The car remains one of the most used means of transportation, with an increasing number of vehicles hitting the roads. After Germany, Italy is the second European country in terms of the number of four-wheeled vehicles, with about 40 million. On average, there are 67 cars per hundred inhabitants in Italy – 9 more than in Germany, 10 more than in France, and 15 more than in Spain. Being able to get around by car is still a necessity for many people who have no alternatives, for example, because they live in isolated areas or those poorly served by public transportation. This problem is particularly felt by those living far from major urban centers, where not having a car risks leaving them "cut off." Those who grow up in areas where more sustainable and alternative models of mobility are present tend to view the use of cars as less important and binding. One of the Italian cities with the highest number of cars per hundred inhabitants is Milan, where specifically the issue of illegally parked or poorly parked cars is a significant concern, especially among young people and those who primarily get around by bicycle. A few months ago, a campaign was launched on this issue to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of the livability of public space: it consisted of a large survey of illegally parked cars, which involved an unexpectedly large number of volunteers, intending to foster debate on the issue and give dimension to the phenomenon – to which, according to the organizers, many citizens have now become accustomed.