voylt, together with the market research company UScale and the BEM | Bundesverband eMobilität e.V. presented the 2023 micromobility study. It examines the attitudes of owners, interested parties and non-owners of electric light vehicles towards micromobility in Germany and provides insight into the social behavior of the buyer groups.
Sustainable alternative to cars: electric light vehicles (LEV)
Electric light vehicles (LEV) are considered the new vehicle alternative to cars and are technical vehicles for the drive transition. Many people think of e-scooters from sharing providers that get in the way on sidewalks. But micromobility is much more multifaceted. In addition to the vehicles covered by the Electric Small Vehicles Ordinance (eKFV) up to 20 km/h, this also includes two-wheeled, three-wheeled or four-wheeled motor vehicles from 25 km/h that are intended for driving on public roads and which include both passenger and logistics vehicles. In order to cover the entire spectrum, the study also included small electric vehicles without handlebars that are not (yet) registered in Germany.
Since electric light vehicles are significantly smaller and lighter than a classic automobile, they make an important contribution to climate & Resource conservation. Due to their size advantage, they take up less space in stationary and moving traffic, reduce noise and consume less CO2 and primary energy over their life cycle.
1,890 participants in the representative survey shared their attitude to micromobility. The results reflect the usage behavior, the purchasing process and the image of electric light vehicles. And that is better than what is often reported in the media.
“We don’t see a culture clash between the vehicles among those surveyed, but rather a search for the optimal, personal use,” says Dr. Axel Sprenger, Founder & Managing Director of Uscale, which specializes in customer insights studies in the field of eMobility. “Because the market is very young and there is a lack of information in many places, people are feeling their way forward. As market analysts, we are finally getting closer to this field, which is so important for the mobility transition, and we are pleased that we can now present a major study on this important topic for the first time.”
Micromobility study proves the increasing popularity of LEVs in all age groups
The central results confirm that micromobility has a positive image. The following points particularly emerged:
- Micromobility is not a big city phenomenon. LEVs are even used more frequently in the countryside than in the city.
- All age groups drive light vehicles equally. Older people in particular are discovering the vehicles for themselves, for example in order to remain mobile if they have health restrictions.
- LEVs are currently used by people who tend to earn better.
- The majority of property owners are well connected to public transport. LEVs do not represent competition to local public transport.
- 53% of those who own a car say they use their car less, 6% even reportedreported to have got rid of their own car.
Information is sought online, purchases are made in the local store.
The purchasing process is now more complex. Buyers have a great need for information on technical and regulatory topics. They predominantly inquire online about offers, prices and technical details. Range and features are the most important factors in the purchase decision. The majority then buy from a local specialist retailer (46%).
20% of owners had experience sharing LEVs before purchasing. Half of them say that these experiences have encouraged them to buy an electric light vehicle.
31% of non-owners are basically interested in buying, and another 10% see LEVs as having a great future. Only 5% of those who do not own light vehicles fundamentally reject them. Those who are not interested know that e-micromobility is more than just a fashion. However, they would like to see stronger regulation to make LEVs' participation in traffic safer.
Johannes Haas, Founder & Managing Director of voylt, confirms the growing interest in purchased vehicles: “For us, the results show that the tiresome discussion about sharing e-scooters in poorly regulated large cities obscures the opportunities offered by micromobility. In reality, the increase in personal comfort through electric light vehicles is confirmed in highly individualized mobility.”
There are numerous users who benefit from the diverse range of electric light vehicles:
- Employees who use the every day e-moped commute to work in the neighboring town
- Families who want an electric cargo bike Use for shopping trips or transporting children
- Entrepreneurs who are increasingly using electric small vans Insert or
- Singles in the big city with the electric MicroCar in every Fit parking space.
- Especially the market for e-mobility aids for people with restricted mobility grows. The vehicles are becoming transportable and the manufacturers are offering their customers suitable e-vehicles for all cases. Scuddy, for example, will launch a four-wheeled vehicle this year, the Scuddy Premium Quad.
The comprehensive eMobility micromobility study 2023 provides detailed insights into usage behavior, the wishes of prospective buyers and comments on how municipalities and politicians could support the change to sustainable mobility.
An excerpt from the study is here viewable.
If you are interested in the complete study, please feel free to send us an enquiry.
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