Young, urban people are increasingly passing on having their own vehicle. Although there are ecological reasons on the one hand, it is by no means only climate-concious young people for whom it plays a role. On the other hand, a car is no longer a status symbol for many people. And ultimately, it is possible to save some money by not having a vehicle. But the need for unrestricted flexibility and independence in mobility still remains. How can the two be reconciled?

• Are subscriptions the new leasing?
• Multimodal models show where we are headed
• Vehicle subscriptions contribute to the spread of electromobility

According to Professor Ferdinand Dudenhöffer, founder and head of the CAR Institute in Duisburg, the solution lies in vehicle subscriptions: “People who buy online once continue to do so. And people who subscribe once will also continue to do so.” While car sharing is already quite common, vehicle subscriptions are still relatively unknown. But as soon as their benefits are recognised, subscription models attract great interest. According to a study by the CAR Institute, 72 percent of more than a thousand respondents could imagine taking out a vehicle subscription. Holders of a driving licence were asked whether they want to buy a car in the next three years.

Are subscriptions the new leasing?

In comparison with leasing with the same mileage, rates for a 24-month subscription are only six to seven percent higher. However, a subscription is easier to take out and easier to manage than a leasing contract. In return, you get a full service package in which things like taxes, insurance and maintenance are included in the monthly rate. It is therefore possible to calculate and avoid unexpected costs.

Multimodal models show where we are headed

Solutions which offer a door-to-door option thanks to a combination of modes of transport are also interesting. Swiss Federal Railways SBB had already started a pilot project in 2016 in order to test demand for such models. To this end, SBB put together a comprehensive package which was handed over to the vehicle subscription partner Carvolution in 2022. In addition to a hire car, for which even the tyre change is included in the basic package, it also includes a general subscription for free travel by train and on most forms of public transport throughout Switzerland. A parking space at the station, car sharing, bike sharing and a voucher for charging the car while out and about are also included.

Vehicle subscriptions contribute to the spread of electromobility

Flat rates are an easy way of getting started with electromobility. Electric vehicles can thus be tested no strings attached and reservations can be broken down. “Risks such as battery service life, repair costs, long contractual obligations and uncertain resale value can be ruled out with a vehicle subscription. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that 46 percent of people in our study said that a vehicle subscription would make getting started with an electric vehicle easier,” Dudenhöffer is quoted in Next Mobility. “If you want to get electric vehicles onto the streets quickly, then you need to remove the risks. And subscriptions are a possibility for that.”

Sources:
https://www.next-mobility.de/studie-sieht-auto-abos-und-e-autos-als-win-win-koalition-a-1095800/
https://www.sbb.ch/de/abos-billette/abonnemente/greenclass.html