Whether in the city or the countryside, individual mobility by car remains indispensable for the vast majority of the population in Germany. This applies to three out of four German citizens (75%), and in rural areas, the number rises to nine out of ten (91%), who consider the car indispensable in their everyday lives. This is one of the findings of a study conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research. The survey asked about mobility behavior, mobility preferences, and the population's attitudes toward sustainable mobility options and technologies. The representative survey was conducted on behalf of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).*

The first surveys were conducted in 2021 and 2023, making it possible to compare the results and developments - including the importance of the car, which remains high. In 2023, 74% of respondents stated that the car is indispensable for them, compared to 76% in 2021. In rural areas, the importance even increased by 7 percentage points. In 2023, 84% of respondents stated that they could not do without a car in everyday life. In 2025, this figure rose to 91%.

VDA President Hildegard Müller: "Many people in Germany cannot manage their daily lives without a car. This is especially true in rural areas, where more than half of the German population lives. For them, not having a car means no accessibility to work, no shopping, no visits to the doctor or relatives, and no social engagement. This makes it clear that mobility—also including individual mobility by car—means social participation. It must be accessible to everyone. This is another reason why we are making cars even more climate-friendly, more sustainable, more innovative, safer, and more digital."

According to Müller, the study results demonstrate the different situations of life for people in urban and rural areas with regard to mobility. "People's different situations must be taken into account politically and socially and discussed with them. Solutions for different living environments must be developed. One thing is clear: the success of the transformation to climate-neutral and digital mobility of the future requires broad support in society."

Car also convinces as the most practical solution

Even when alternatives are available, many people consciously choose a car. Practicality and speed are the primary considerations: 64% consider the car the most practical solution, even 68% among frequent drivers. 61% value the time savings, and among frequent drivers, the figure is 74%.

Only 16% of the population see opportunities to change their mobility behavior, whereas 71% consider it difficult to change how they normally travel and which modes of transport they use. In rural areas, this figure rises to 82%. And also in large cities, a majority of 60% share this assessment.

The study shows that the car is deeply rooted in people's ideas about mobility. 78% are convinced that no other means of transport offers as much independence and flexibility as a car. More than half of those surveyed (55%) say that they could not lead their current lives without a car, or that they would find it very difficult to do so. In addition to the aspect of independence, speed also plays an important role: When it comes to their own mobility, 40% state that quickness is most important. In line with this, 42% would like to see better networking between different modes of transport (e.g., car and public transport) so that they can always choose the fastest connection.

Another finding of the Allensbach study: In the aftermath of the pandemic, the importance of bicycles has declined significantly, while that of local public transport (ÖPNV) has remained stable. 38% of respondents currently state that bicycles are indispensable in their everyday lives (2023: 49%, 2021: 49%), and 40% say the same about local public transport (2023: 41%, 2021: 42%). Another 20% cannot do without using regional or interregional trains in their daily lives (2023: 29%, 2021: 23%).

Transport infrastructure: Results highlight need for action

In Germany, the majority of citizens' assessments of the condition of the transport infrastructure are sobering. Three out of four people (77%) rate the condition of roads and bridges in Germany as poor (56%) or even very poor (21%). Satisfaction with the local road network has declined significantly since 2021 - particularly sharply in eastern Germany and rural areas. The proportion of the population in Germany who are less or not at all satisfied rose from 21% in 2021 to 37% (current analysis). At the same time, the proportion of those who are satisfied or very satisfied fell from 77% to 61%. In eastern Germany, 46% of respondents currently report being less or not at all satisfied, compared to just 29% in 2023.

Müller: "The poor infrastructure in Germany is a serious problem—for the population as well as for companies. Germany urgently needs a comprehensive infrastructure offensive. A modern, efficient infrastructure is a key location factor and crucial for economic growth and sustainable mobility. It is good that this issue is now being addressed. However, the prerequisite for the success of the Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality Special Fund is that the funds flow into additional investments and are used efficiently. Furthermore, politicians must ensure faster procedures and more efficient structures so that the money will actually be used for construction of roads, railways, and bridges. Unfortunately, with a view to the 2026 draft budget, investments in road infrastructure are completely inadequate. This urgently needs to be adjusted."

When it comes to public transport, opinions remain stable—but vary depending on where you live: While a majority in large cities are satisfied, dissatisfaction prevails in villages and small towns. While 46% of residents in Germany are satisfied or very satisfied, the figure is 62% in large cities. In villages, this figure is only 29%. However, significantly more than half of village residents (58%) are dissatisfied. Among the general population, 42% express dissatisfaction with public transport services. Although the figure is lower in large cities, almost one in three (29%) is dissatisfied with public transport services.

Müller: "The technologies surrounding autonomous and connected driving can contribute to improving transport links in rural areas and enhancing the quality of life—including for people with mobility restrictions. For Germany to become a leading market for autonomous driving, the necessary conditions must be met, particularly in terms of regulation. Among other things, a crucial element is regulation that facilitates, standardizes, and enables the approval and conduct of trials in all EU member states across borders."

E-mobility: Younger people more open to purchasing electric cars

Of all respondents planning to buy a car in the next few years, only 11% plan to buy an electric car—a slight decrease from 2023 (13%). In contrast, 32% intend to buy a gasoline car and 18% a diesel. 19% are opting for hybrid vehicles, and 2% are considering a hydrogen-powered vehicle.

The overall potential for electric cars is 22% — this is the share of people who can fundamentally imagine buying an electric car in the next few years. This figure has remained virtually unchanged since 2021. 60% still reject the purchase of an electric car for various reasons. Openness is particularly evident among younger people (under 30: 27%) and those with a higher socioeconomic status (33%).

The main arguments for purchasing an electric car include: lower taxes and insurance (35%), contribution to climate protection (34%), increased ranges (34%), lower noise levels (32%), high prices for petrol and diesel (32%), and improved charging infrastructure (30%).

"German manufacturers already offer around 110 different electric models on the German market alone, and the variety, also in the lower segments, will continue to grow. It is important that the federal government creates incentives for e-mobility and, above all, finally makes charging power more affordable. The federal government must also reduce ancillary electricity costs. This particularly applies to the level of network charges and the electricity tax for charging power. Furthermore, it must immediately ensure that the extension of the vehicle tax exemption for electric vehicles until 2035, as promised in the coalition agreement, is implemented. It is crucial that this is ensured in the 2026 budget. The current regulation expires at the end of the year – which makes it all the more urgent for consumers and companies to have timely planning security," Müller said.

The study results show that there is uncertainty regarding operating costs: almost one in two people cannot currently assess whether charging an electric car or refueling a combustion engine vehicle is cheaper.

Charging infrastructure for electric cars: Skepticism clearly prevails—but it is decreasing

The assessment of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles is predominantly critical in all everyday situations surveyed. However, an improvement can be seen. Around 22% consider the availability of public charging options in their immediate neighborhood to be very good or good—a significant increase compared to 2023 (14%) and 2021 (8%). Nevertheless, skepticism remains clearly dominant: 39% rate the availability as less than good, and another 17% as not good at all. This means that more than half of respondents are dissatisfied with the availability.

However, among people who own an electric car, the assessment is significantly more positive. 69% rate it as good, while 4% give it the top rating of very good. This means that almost three-quarters of electric car owners rate the charging options in their neighborhood positively. Around one in four (23%) find it less good, and 4% dislike it at all. The results illustrate that practical experience with electric cars and knowledge of suitable charging options lead to a more positive assessment of the situation.

Continued significant dissatisfaction with charging options on motorways and country roads

When it comes to charging options on highways and country roads, 38% see clear deficits, while almost half (48%) cannot assess the charging options. The proportion of positive reviews has doubled from 7 to 14% compared to 2023. In 2021, it was still 5%.

Regarding charging options at shopping locations, 26% of the general population now say the situation is very good or good. In contrast, this figure was just 18% in 2023 and just 9% in 2021. At the same time, half are rather critical about the availability: 32% rate it less good, and 17% rate it not good at all. People who own an electric car also rate the situation significantly better here—but are still divided: While one half is rather dissatisfied, the other half is rather satisfied. In detail: 52% consider the availability less good or not good at all, and 47% rate it as good or very good.

"Over the past two years, the expansion of charging infrastructure has finally picked up, which is also cautiously reflected in the survey results and in people's assessments. This is encouraging and at the same time shows once again: The success of e-mobility depends on the charging infrastructure. People need the certainty of being able to charge their electric cars anywhere—only then they will be enthusiastic about e-mobility. The e-car is intended to become a mass product, which means that registration numbers will rise and more and more people, including those living in rental apartments in urban areas, will drive e-cars. This highlights the need to consistently and rapidly advance the expansion of charging infrastructure, especially for fast charging, as well as to consistently expand the power grids. Three out of ten municipalities do not yet have a public charging point, and two-thirds have not yet installed a public fast-charging point," Müller said.

The full study can be found here.

*Interviews were conducted from March 28 to April 9, 2025. 1048 people were surveyed. As the comparison with the official statistical data shows, the weighted sample corresponds to the total population aged 16 and over in the Federal Republic of Germany. This conformance within the limits of statistical accuracy is a necessary prerequisite for the generalizability of the results. Group of people surveyed: German resident population aged 16 and over in the Federal Republic of Germany. The survey was differentiated according to the size of the place of residence. Allensbach distinguishes between respondents who live in places with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants ("villages"), in places with between 5,000 and under 20,000 inhabitants ("small towns"), between 20,000 and under 100,000 inhabitants ("medium-sized towns") and with 100,000 and more inhabitants ("big cities").