One in three young Belgians doesn't use a car

In Belgium, one in three people born between 1977 and 1994 say that they are not planning to buy or lease a car any time before 2019. The figures come from a large-scale study by the international consultancy Deloitte. In all of Europe, about one in four young people claim to not need a car.

The company surveyed more than 23,000 young people in 20 countries. In Belgium 1,600 young people participated in the study. One-third of the Belgian respondents choose public transport, taxis, rental cars, or even walking above driving, because they believe these ‘alternative’ modes of transport are easier and cheaper than owning a car.

"The results of this study show that the love affair between Europeans and their cars is coming to an end," says Eric Desomer of Deloitte Belgium. "The emergence of new transportation methods, such as car-sharing and car-pooling, and improved public transport systems have shifted young people’s attitudes towards cars. They prefer to have access to a car rather than to own one."

Among the young Belgians surveyed, initial cost was the biggest deterrent to buying a car, followed by the high operating and maintenance costs. In terms of comfort, 70% said that walking or using public transport was sufficient for their lifestyle.