Private use case
Car sharing in old age: “Personal success is the key”
26.09.2024
For many older people, owning a car is a symbol of freedom. With the right support, shared mobility offers could be an attractive alternative, explains Rudolf Baumann-Hauser.
Rudolf Baumann-Hauser, why do many people stick to their own cars even in old age?
Mobility behaviour in retirement is often shaped by the habits of working life. Those who have been travelling by car for a long time often find it difficult to change to other means of transport. There are other reasons why older people don’t want to do without their cars. Health is an important factor. People with physical disabilities often no longer feel mobile without a car. In rural areas, alternatives such as public transport are often not as well developed, which makes the switch even more difficult. For some, however, retirement also marks the beginning of a kind of “pleasure phase” in which they consciously treat themselves to something.
And that means?
For example, many opt for a sportier car or buy a camper van to enjoy trips that they couldn’t take in their day-to-day work.
Freedom is therefore still often associated with owning your own vehicle.
Yes, exactly. Many people associate cars with the freedom to be spontaneous and independent without having to rely on timetables or rental vehicles. But for retired people, the question arises as to how relevant this saving of time really is, as they no longer have any professional obligations.
Committed to energy, construction, the environment and mobility
Rudolf Baumann-Hauser (75) is a qualified civil engineer with over 50 years of professional experience. As the former Head of the Energy Department of the Canton of Lucerne, an independent consultant and coach, he specialises in the fields of energy, construction, the environment and mobility. Today, he advises organisations, companies and interested parties on these topics on a voluntary basis.
Let’s turn the question around: What are the main reasons why older people do not have their own car?
In cities, well-developed public transport and the growing availability of shared mobility services can encourage older people to switch. For others, the economic aspect plays a greater role: If you add up the costs of garage, insurance, maintenance and operation, it quickly becomes clear that owning your own car is often pure luxury. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of this.
Mobility has listed the costs: On average, owning a car costs CHF 10’000 per year.
Is car sharing a real alternative for older people?
This depends heavily on the individual’s attitude. Anyone who follows the philosophy of “use instead of owning” is generally open to shared mobility – regardless of age.
What specific challenges do you see in the area of shared mobility for older people?
For many, the question of location is certainly key. How far away is the nearest car sharing service from home? Digital fitness also plays a role: Many of these offers are app-based. This can be a hurdle, especially for older people.
«A key challenge is the charging infrastructure, especially in the underground car parks of apartment buildings.»Baumann-Hauser on electromobility
How could this transition be made easier for older people?
Personal success is key. One option would be to support people in their first experiences with shared mobility.
How do you envisage this?
People in a position of trust could help older people try out shared mobility services for the first time. They could answer questions, help use the apps and test the offers together. Positive initial experiences are an incredibly powerful means of reducing inhibitions. However, this approach to shared mobility does not have to be the sole responsibility of the providers.
How do you mean?
Politicians and public administrations are also challenged. If we want car-free inner cities and want older people to also switch to alternative forms of mobility, appropriate awareness-raising and training are needed. This could be done in cooperation with senior citizens’ associations and other relevant institutions – ideally in cooperation with the providers of shared mobility services.
Let’s talk about electromobility. Where do you see the greatest challenges and how will the situation develop?
A key challenge is the charging infrastructure, especially in the underground car parks of apartment buildings. There is still a lot of room for improvement here, but a lot will happen in the next five to ten years. In addition, electric cars are still expensive, but cheaper models – particularly from China – will change that and the second-hand market for electric vehicles will also continue to develop.